Cloud-based preset for media content playback

ABSTRACT

A system is provided for streaming media content in a vehicle. The system includes a personal media streaming appliance system configured to connect to a media delivery system and receive media content from the media delivery system at least via a cellular network. The personal media streaming appliance system includes one or more preset buttons for playing media content associated with the preset buttons. Data about the preset buttons and the media content associated with the preset buttons can be stored in the media delivery system.

BACKGROUND

Many people enjoy consuming media content while traveling or duringother activities. For example, many drivers and passengers listen toaudio content, such as songs, albums, podcasts, audiobooks, and othertypes of audible content, in vehicles. Various media playback devicescan be used to provide such audible content in vehicles. For example,typical sources of such audio content in vehicles include radios andfixed media players, such as devices that can play media content fromCDs, USB drives, or SD cards. Alternatively, mobile devices, such asmobile phones or tablets running audio streaming applications, can beused to offer a personalized and flexible music-consuming experienceusing large catalogs of media content available from a media contentserver.

Some media playback devices provide preset buttons for playing mediacontent. When a user selects a preset button on a media playback device,the media playback device operates to play particular media contentassigned to the selected preset button. Preset buttons on the mediaplayback devices can provide a convenient, simple way to play mediacontent in a vehicle environment which would typically require enhancedfocus on other activities such as driving or navigating.

There exists a need for a media playback system that provides presetbuttons that are easy to use and control for media content playbackwhile providing personalized user experience of consuming media contentin a vehicle.

SUMMARY

In general terms, the present disclosure relates to a cloud-based presetsystem for media content playback. In one possible configuration and bynon-limiting example, the system includes a media delivery system thatstores data about presets of a media playback device and operates toshare the data with other media playback devices. Various aspects aredescribed in this disclosure, which include, but are not limited to, thefollowing aspects.

One aspect is a method for playing media content. The method may includereceiving a first preset signal associated with a preset signal sourceof a first media playback device; identifying a media context associatedwith the preset signal source based on the first preset signal;transmitting the media context to the first media playback device forplayback; and storing media playback state information associated withthe media context.

In certain examples, the media playback state information may includecurrent position-in-track information that indicates a current playbackposition of the media context.

In certain examples, the media playback state information may include atleast one of current context information, current track information,playback control status, playback settings, subsequent trackinformation, and playback history information.

In certain examples, the method may include storing cloud preset data;the cloud preset data including the media playback state information.

In certain examples, the preset signal source may be a preset buttonprovided in the first media playback device.

In certain examples, the first preset signal may include at least one ofa user account identifier and a device identifier. The user accountidentifier may identify a user account associated with the first mediaplayback device. The device identifier may identify the first mediaplayback device.

In certain examples, the media context may include at least one of analbum, a playlist, and a media content item.

In certain examples, the method may include receiving a second presetsignal from the preset signal source of the first media playback device;and updating the media playback state information associated with themedia context in response to the second preset signal.

In certain examples, the first preset signal may include a request forplaying the media context. The second preset signal may include arequest for stopping playback of the media context.

In certain examples, the method may include receiving a request for themedia context from a second media playback device; identifying the mediaplayback state information associated with the media context; andtransmitting the media context to the second media playback device basedon the media playback state information.

Another aspect is a media delivery system for providing media content toa media playback device. The media delivery system may include at leastone processing device, at least one data storage device, and datainstructions. The storage device may store a cloud preset data includinginformation about a preset button of the media playback device and amedia context associated with the preset button. The data instructionsmay be executable by the at least one processing device to cause themedia delivery system to receive a first preset signal from the mediaplayback device. The first preset signal may be associated with thepreset button of the media playback device. The data instructions mayfurther cause the media delivery system to retrieve the cloud presetdata to identify the media context associated with the preset buttonbased on the first preset signal. The data instructions may furthercause the media delivery system to transmit the media context to themedia playback device for playback. The data instructions may furthercause the media delivery system to update the cloud preset data based onthe transmission of the media context.

In certain examples, the cloud preset data may include media playbackstate information about the media context.

In certain examples, the data instructions may further cause the mediadelivery system to receive a second preset signal from the mediaplayback device, and update the cloud preset data in response to thesecond preset signal. The second preset signal may be associated withthe preset button of the media playback device.

In certain examples, the first preset signal may include a request forplaying the media context, and the second preset signal may include arequest for stopping playback of the media context.

In certain examples, the data instructions may further cause the mediadelivery system to receive a request for the media context from anothermedia playback device, identify the cloud preset data associated withthe media context; and transmit the media context to the other mediaplayback device based on the cloud preset data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for streaming media content forplayback.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a personal mediastreaming appliance (PMSA) system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a media deliverysystem.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a vehicle mediaplayback system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a computingdevice.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example embodiment of the PMSAsystem.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example system for media content playback using acloud-based preset.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example data structure of local preset data.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example preset signal.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram that illustrates an example cloud presetdata.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example data structure that may appear in adatabase of the media delivery system.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example method for operating the PMSAsystem.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an example method for operating the mediadelivery system.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of another example method for operating the mediadelivery system.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of yet another example method for operating themedia delivery system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts andassemblies throughout the several views.

People spend a significant amount of time traveling in vehicles. Many ofthem find that time to be more enjoyable when they are listening tomusic, watching videos, or otherwise consuming media content. Mediacontent includes audio and video content. Examples of audio contentinclude songs, albums, playlists, radio stations, podcasts, audiobooks,and other audible media content items. Examples of video content includemovies, music videos, television programs, and other visible mediacontent items. In many cases, video content also includes audio content.As used herein, the term “vehicle” can be any machine that is operableto transport people or cargo. Vehicles can be motorized ornon-motorized. Vehicles can be for public or private transport. Examplesof vehicles include motor vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks, buses,motorcycles), rail vehicles (e.g., trains, trams), tracked vehicles,watercraft (e.g., ships, boats), aircraft, human-powered vehicles (e.g.,bicycles), wagons, and other transportation means. A user can drive avehicle or ride in it, as a passenger, for traveling. As used herein,the term “travel” and variants thereof refers to any activity in which auser is in transit between two locations.

Consuming media content in a vehicle presents many challenges. Ingeneral, a user in a moving vehicle may have limited attention availablefor interacting with a media playback device due to the need toconcentrate on travel related activities, such as driving andnavigation. Therefore, while a vehicle is moving, it can be difficultfor a user in the vehicle to interact with a media playback devicewithout disrupting the driving or navigation. Further, the userinterface of a media playback device can be overly complex, or mayrequire such fine motor skills that it can be difficult to use whiletraveling in a vehicle. Voice-based user interfaces also encountersignificant challenges to use in a vehicle environment. The passengerareas of a vehicle are often noisy due to engine noise, road noise, windand weather noises, passenger noises, and the sound of any media contentthat may be playing on a media playback system in the vehicle. Thisnoise hampers the ability of the voice-based user interface to interactwith a user. Moreover, accessing media content while traveling may bedifficult, expensive, or impossible depending on network availability orcapacity along the route of travel. Further, accessing and playing mediacontent can require significant amounts of electric power. Thus, use ofa mobile device for media content playback during travel may beundesirable because it will drain the battery. It can also bechallenging to connect a media playback device to a vehicle's built-inaudio system because of the requirement to connect to auxiliary cablesor undergo a complicated wireless pairing process. Embodiments disclosedherein address some or all of these challenges. It should be understood,however, that various aspects described herein are not limited to use ofa media playback device during travel.

On the other hand, many users desire a personalized media consumingexperience. For example, a user can access almost limitless catalogs ofmedia content through various free or fee-based media delivery services,such as media streaming services. Users can use mobile devices or othermedia playback devices to access large catalogs of media content. Due tosuch large collections of media content, it is desired to make itpossible to customize a selection of media content to match users'individual tastes and preferences so that users can consume theirfavorite media content while traveling in a vehicle.

Many vehicles include a built-in media playback device, such as a radioor a fixed media player, such as a player that can play media contentfrom a CD, USB driver, or SD cards. However, the media content that isdelivered using these built in vehicle media playback devices is greatlylimited and is not flexible or customizable to the user.

Alternatively, a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, can beused by a user to enjoy personalized and flexible music consumingexperience in a vehicle by running music streaming applications thereon.However, mobile devices are not well suited for use in a vehicleenvironment for various reasons. For example, mobile devices are notreadily accessible or controllable while driving or navigating. Further,connection between a mobile device and a vehicle audio system is ofteninconvenient and unreliable. Moreover, the music streaming applicationis not automatically ready to run and play media content, and the userneeds to pick up the mobile device and open the music streamingapplication and control a sophisticated user interface to play mediacontent. Additionally, many users have limited mobile data available viatheir mobile devices and are concerned about data usage while using themusic streaming application in the vehicle. Battery drainage and legalrestrictions on use while driving are further drawbacks to using mobiledevices for playing media content in the vehicle.

To address these challenges, the present disclosure provides aspecial-purpose personal appliance that can be used for streaming mediain a vehicle. The appliance is one example of media playback devices ofvarious types, and is also referred to herein as the personal mediastreaming appliance (PMSA). In some embodiments, the appliance isspecially designed to be dedicated for media streaming purposes in avehicle, and there is no other general use. Some embodiments of theappliance can operate to communicate directly with a media contentserver and receive streamed media content from the server via a cellularnetwork. In these embodiments, other computing devices, such mobiledevices, are not involved in this direct communication between theappliance and the media content server. Mobile data cost can be includedin the subscription of the media streaming service or a purchase priceof the personal appliance. Therefore, the customer's possible concernabout mobile data usage can be eliminated. In other embodiments, theappliance can connect to another computing device, such as a mobiledevice, that provides a mobile hotspot to enable the appliance tocommunicate with the media content server rather than the appliancecommunicating with it directly. For example, a mobile device is used toassist in communication between the appliance and the media contentserver.

Further, the appliance can be associated with a user account of the userfor the media streaming service so that the user can enjoy personalizedmedia content.

In some embodiments, the appliance provides a simplified user interfaceso that a user can easily control playback of media content in a vehiclewhile maintaining his or her focus on other tasks such as driving ornavigating. For example, the appliance has a limited set of physicalcontrol elements that are intuitively controllable for playback of mediacontent with little (often only one) input from a user. Examples of suchphysical control elements include a rotatable knob and one or morephysically-depressible buttons.

Further, in some embodiments, the appliance is configured to be easilymounted to an interior structure of a vehicle, such as a dashboard, sothat the user can easily reach the appliance.

In some embodiments, the appliance also provides an output interfacethat can be easily connected to a vehicle audio system, such as via anauxiliary input port or Bluetooth®. Therefore, the media contentstreamed to the appliance can then be transmitted from the appliance tothe vehicle audio system for playback in the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the appliance can includes a voice interactionsystem designed for voice interaction with a user in the noisyenvironment of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the appliance includesmultiple microphones that reduce the effects of ambient noise in thepassenger area of the vehicle. In an example, the appliance includes atleast three microphones: two directed to the passenger area of thevehicle and another facing away from the passenger area of the vehicleto pick up vibrations and low frequency noise for cancellation. Theappliance also applies spectral noise cancellation to reduce non-voicefrequencies. In addition, omni-directional noise cancellation is appliedin some embodiments to reduce omni-directional sound (e.g., vehiclenoise). Directional noise is detected by determining a differencebetween audio inputs detected by the two microphones facing thepassenger area. The difference is preserved as directional audio input.The appliance further cancels out audio that it is currently playing,allowing the appliance to detect voice commands even over loud music,for instance. In this manner, the appliance is arranged to provide animproved voice-based interface in a vehicle environment.

Further, the present disclosure generally relates to a cloud-basedpreset for media content playback. The cloud-based preset according tothe present disclosure can address various limitations and challenges ofconventional preset systems of media playback devices.

Many media playback devices have preset buttons for conveniently playingmedia content. Such preset buttons can include physical buttons providedon media playback devices, such as preset buttons on audio devices,speakers, or the PMSA as described herein. When a user selects a presetbutton on a media playback device, the media playback device operates toplay back a particular audio content assigned to the selected presetbutton. Typically, information about the media content for the presetbutton is locally stored in the media playback device. Therefore, wherethe media playback device typically has a limited user interface, theuser cannot easily edit the preset button to be associated with othermedia content. Further, when the software and/or firmware of the mediaplayback device are updated, there is a risk of breaking compatibilityof the preset button with other media content output systems (e.g.,Bluetooth® speakers or vehicle audio systems) connected to the mediaplayback device. Moreover, because the preset button on the mediaplayback device is locally stored and not editable, the user has nooption to share the preset media content across other media playbackdevices.

The present disclosure provides a backend service that stores data aboutmedia playback device presets in the cloud, instead of storing the datalocally in the media playback device. Because the preset data is storedin the cloud, when a preset button is activated on the media playbackdevice, the media playback device only needs to send minimal data, suchas a user account identifier, a device identifier, and/or a presetbutton identifier, to the backend. Then, the backend identifies a mediacontext (e.g., playlist, album, track, etc.) associated with theselected preset button and transmits the identified media content to themedia playback device for playback.

Further, because preset information is stored in the cloud, it is easilysharable across different media playback devices that are linked to thesame user account. The preset information that is sharable can includeplayback state information of a media context that is initiated to beplayed back when an associated preset button is selected. For example,information about whether a media context associated with a presetbutton is being currently played or paused, or an elapsed playback timeof the media context that is being played or paused.

In addition, the preset data can be updated in real time as the mediacontent is being played on the media playback device. For example, whenthe user listens to a track by selecting a preset button on a mediaplayback device, the preset data in the cloud is dynamically updated toreflect the current playback state of the track. Therefore, if the userstops or pauses playing the track on that media playback device, thepreset data stores information about where the playback of the trackended. When the same track is selected in a different device forplayback, the track can be played back from where the track was leftoff, not from the beginning of the track.

As described herein, consuming media content may include one or more oflistening to audio content, watching video content, or consuming othertypes of media content. For ease of explanation, the embodimentsdescribed in this application are presented using specific examples. Forexample, audio content (and in particular music) is described as anexample of one form of media consumption. As another example, a vehicleis described as an example of an environment in which media content isconsumed. Further, traveling (and in particular driving) in a vehicle isdescribed as an example of an activity during which media content isconsumed. However, it should be understood that the same concepts aresimilarly applicable to other forms of media consumption and to otherenvironments or activities, and at least some embodiments include otherforms of media consumption and/or are configured for use in otherenvironments or during other activities.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 for streaming media content forplayback. The system 100 can be used in a vehicle 80. The vehicle 80includes a dashboard 82 or a head unit 84. The system 100 includes oneor more media playback devices 104 configured to play media content,such as a personal media streaming appliance (PMSA) system 110, a mediadelivery system 112, a vehicle media playback system 114, and acomputing device 118. The system 100 further includes a datacommunication network 116 and an in-vehicle wireless data communicationnetwork 122. The media delivery system 112 includes a preset-based mediadelivery engine 126.

The PMSA system 110 operates to receive media content that is provided(e.g., streamed, transmitted, etc.) by a system external to the PMSAsystem 110, such as the media delivery system 112, and transmit themedia content to the vehicle media playback system 114 for playback. Insome embodiments, the PMSA system 110 is a portable device which can becarried into and used in the vehicle 80. The PMSA system 110 can bemounted to a structure of the vehicle 80, such as the dashboard 82 orthe head unit 84. In other embodiments, the PMSA system 110 can beconfigured to be built in a structure of the vehicle 80. An example ofthe PMSA system 110 is illustrated and described in more detail withreference to FIGS. 2 and 6.

In some embodiments, the PMSA system 110 includes one or more presetbuttons 512, which is further illustrated and described with referenceto FIG. 6.

The media delivery system 112 operates to provide media content to oneor more media playback devices 104 via the network 116. In theillustrated example, the media delivery system 112 provides mediacontent to the PMSA system 110 for playback of media content using thevehicle media playback system 114. An example of the media deliverysystem 112 is illustrated and described in further detail herein, suchas with reference to FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, the media delivery system 112 includes thepreset-based media delivery engine 126. The preset-based media deliveryengine 126 operates to determine media content based on a user selectionof a preset button 512 of the PMSA system 110, and transmit the mediacontent to the PMSA system 110 for playback. An example of thepreset-based media delivery engine 126 is illustrated and described infurther detail herein, such as with reference to FIG. 7.

The vehicle media playback system 114 operates to receive media contentfrom the PMSA system 110 and generates a media output 124 to play themedia content in the vehicle 80. An example of the vehicle mediaplayback system 114 is illustrated and described in further detailherein, such as with reference to FIG. 4.

The network 116 is a data communication network that facilitates datacommunication between the PMSA system 110 and the media delivery system112. In some embodiments, the computing device 118 can also communicatewith the media delivery system 112 across the network 116. The network116 typically includes a set of computing devices and communicationlinks between the computing devices. The computing devices in thenetwork 116 use the links to enable communication among the computingdevices in the network. The network 116 can include one or more routers,switches, mobile access points, bridges, hubs, intrusion detectiondevices, storage devices, standalone server devices, blade serverdevices, sensors, desktop computers, firewall devices, laptop computers,handheld computers, mobile telephones, vehicular computing devices, andother types of computing devices.

In various embodiments, the network 116 includes various types ofcommunication links. For example, the network 116 can include wiredand/or wireless links, including cellular, Bluetooth®, ultra-wideband(UWB), 802.11, ZigBee, and other types of wireless links. Furthermore,in various embodiments, the network 116 is implemented at variousscales. For example, the network 116 can be implemented as one or morevehicle area networks, local area networks (LANs), metropolitan areanetworks, subnets, wide area networks (WAN) (such as the Internet), orcan be implemented at another scale. Further, in some embodiments, thenetwork 116 includes multiple networks, which may be of the same type orof multiple different types.

In some embodiments, the network 116 can also be used for datacommunication between other media playback devices 104 (e.g., thecomputing device 118) and the media delivery system 112. Because thenetwork 116 is configured primarily for data communication betweencomputing devices in the vehicle 80 and computing devices outside thevehicle 80, the network 116 is also referred to herein as anout-of-vehicle network for out-of-vehicle data communication.

Unlike the network 116, the in-vehicle wireless data communication 122can be used for direct data communication between computing devices(e.g., the media playback devices 104) in the vehicle 80. In someembodiments, the in-vehicle wireless data communication 122 is used fordirect communication between the PMSA system 110 and the computingdevice 118. In other embodiments, the computing device 118 cancommunicate with the PMSA system 110 in the data communication network116. In some embodiments, the in-vehicle wireless data communication 122can also be used for data communication between the PMSA system 110 andthe vehicle media playback system 114.

Various types of wireless communication interfaces can be used for thein-vehicle wireless data communication 122. In some embodiments, thein-vehicle wireless data communication 122 includes Bluetooth®technology. In other embodiments, the in-vehicle wireless datacommunication 122 includes WiFi® technology. In yet other embodiments,other suitable wireless communication interfaces can be used for thein-vehicle wireless data communication 122, such as near fieldcommunication (NFC) and an ultrasonic data transmission.

In some embodiments, the computing device 118 is configured to playmedia content independently from the PMSA system 110. In someembodiments, the computing device 118 is a tandalone computing devicethat, without the PMSA system 110 involved, can communicate with themedia delivery system 112 and receive media content from the mediadelivery system 112 for playback in the vehicle 80. An example of thecomputing device 118 is illustrated and described in further detailherein, such as with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of the PMSA system110 of the media streaming system 100 shown in FIG. 1. In this example,the PMSA system 110 includes a user input device 130, a display device132, a wireless data communication device 134, a movement detectiondevice 136, a location determining device 138, a media content outputdevice 140, an in-vehicle wireless communication device 142, a powersupply 144, a power input device 146, a processing device 148, and amemory device 150.

In some embodiments, the PMSA system 110 is a system dedicated forstreaming personalized media content in a vehicle environment. At leastsome embodiments of the PMSA system 110 have limited functionalitiesspecifically selected for streaming media content from the mediadelivery system 112 at least via the network 116 and/or for providingother services associated with the media content streaming service. ThePMSA system 110 may have no other general use such as found in othercomputing devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and other smartdevices. For example, in some embodiments, when the PMSA system 110 ispowered up, the PMSA system 110 is configured to automatically activatea software application that is configured to perform the media contentstreaming and media playback operations of the PMSA system 110 using atleast one of the components, devices, and elements of the PMSA system110. In some embodiments, the software application of the PMSA system110 is configured to continue running until the PMSA system 110 ispowered off or powered down to a predetermined level. In someembodiments, the PMSA system 110 is configured to be free of any userinterface control that would allow a user to disable the automaticactivation of the software application on the PMSA system 110.

As described herein, the PMSA system 110 provides various structures,features, and functions that improve the user experience of consumingmedia content in a vehicle.

As illustrated, the PMSA system 110 can communicate with the mediadelivery system 112 to receive media content via the network 116 andenable the vehicle media playback system 114 to play the media contentin the vehicle. In some embodiments, the PMSA system 110 can communicatewith the computing device 118 that is in data communication with themedia delivery system 112. As described herein, the computing device 118can communicate with the media delivery system 112 via the network 116.

The user input device 130 operates to receive a user input 152 from auser U for controlling the PMSA system 110. As illustrated, the userinput 152 can include a manual input 154 and a voice input 156. In someembodiments, the user input device 130 includes a manual input device160 and a sound detection device 162.

The manual input device 160 operates to receive the manual input 154 forcontrolling playback of media content via the PMSA system 110. Inaddition, in some embodiments, the manual input 154 is received formanaging various pieces of information transmitted via the PMSA system110 and/or controlling other functions or aspects associated with thePMSA system 110.

In some embodiments, the manual input device 160 includes one or moremanual control elements configured to receive various manual controlactions, such as pressing actions and rotational actions. As describedherein, the physical input device 160 includes a manual control knob 510and one or more preset buttons 512, which is further illustrated anddescribed with reference to FIG. 6.

The sound detection device 162 operates to detect and record sounds fromproximate the PMSA system 110. For example, the sound detection device162 can detect sounds including the voice input 156. In someembodiments, the sound detection device 162 includes one or moreacoustic sensors configured to detect sounds proximate the PMSA system110. For example, acoustic sensors of the sound detection device 162include one or more microphones. Various types of microphones can beused for the sound detection device 162 of the PMSA system 110.

In some embodiments, the voice input 156 is a user's voice (alsoreferred to herein as an utterance) for controlling playback of mediacontent via the PMSA system 110. In addition, the voice input 156 is auser's voice for managing various data transmitted via the PMSA system110 and/or controlling other functions or aspects associated with thePMSA system 110.

In some embodiments, the sound detection device 162 is configured tocancel noises from the received sounds so that a desired sound (e.g.,the voice input 156) is clearly identified. For example, the sounddetection device 162 can include one or more noise-canceling microphoneswhich are configured to filter ambient noise from the voice input 156.In addition or alternatively, a plurality of microphones of the sounddetection device 162 are arranged at different locations in a body ofthe PMSA system 110 and/or oriented in different directions with respectto the body of the PMSA system 110, so that ambient noise is effectivelycanceled from the voice input 156 or other desired sounds beingidentified.

In some embodiments, the sounds detected by the sound detection device162 can be processed by the sound processing engine 180 of the PMSAsystem 110 as described below.

Referring still to FIG. 2, the display device 132 operates to displayinformation to the user U. Examples of such information include mediacontent playback information, notifications, and other information.

In some embodiments, the display device 132 operates as a display screenonly and is not capable of receiving a user input. By receiving themanual input 154 only via the manual input device 160 and disablingreceipt of manual input via the display device 132, the user interfaceof the PMSA system 110 is simplified so that the user U can control thePMSA system 110 while maintaining focus on other activities in thevehicle 80. It is understood however that, in other embodiments, thedisplay device 132 is configured as a touch-sensitive display screenthat operates as both a display screen and a user input device. In yetother embodiments, the PMSA system 110 does not include a displaydevice.

As described herein, in some embodiments, the display device 132 isarranged at the manual input device 160. In other embodiments, thedisplay device 132 is arranged separate from the manual input device160.

The wireless data communication device 134 operates to enable the PMSAsystem 110 to communicate with one or more computing devices at a remotelocation that is outside the vehicle 80. In the illustrated example, thewireless data communication device 134 operates to connect the PMSAsystem 110 to one or more networks outside the vehicle 80, such as thenetwork 116. For example, the wireless data communication device 134 isconfigured to communicate with the media delivery system 112 and receivemedia content from the media delivery system 112 at least partially viathe network 116. The wireless data communication device 134 can be awireless network interface of various types which connects the PMSAsystem 110 to the network 116. Examples of the wireless datacommunication device 134 include wireless wide area network (WWAN)interfaces, which use mobile telecommunication cellular networktechnologies. Examples of cellular network technologies include LTE,WiMAX, UMTS, CDMA2000, GSM, cellular digital packet data (CDPD), andMobitex. In the some embodiments, the wireless data communication device134 is configured as a cellular network interface to facilitate datacommunication between the PMSA system 110 and the media delivery system112 over cellular network.

The movement detection device 136 can be used to detect movement of thePMSA system 110 and the vehicle 80. In some embodiments, the movementdetection device 136 is configured to monitor one or more factors thatare used to determine movement of the vehicle 80. The movement detectiondevice 136 can include one or more sensors that are configured to detectmovement, position, and/or orientation of the PMSA system 110. As anexample, the movement detection device 136 is operable to determine anorientation of the PMSA system 110. The movement detection device 136can detect changes in the determined orientation and interpret thosechanges as indicating movement of the PMSA system 110. In someembodiments, the movement detection device 136 includes anaccelerometer. In other embodiments, the movement detection device 136includes a gyroscope. Other sensors can also be used for the movementdetection device 136, such as a magnetometer, a GPS receiver, analtimeter, an odometer, a speedometer, a shock detector, a vibrationsensor, a proximity sensor, and an optical sensor (e.g., a light sensor,a camera, and an infrared sensor).

The location determining device 138 is a device that determines thelocation of the PMSA system 110. In some embodiments, the locationdetermining device 138 uses one or more of Global Positioning System(GPS) technology (which may receive GPS signals), Global NavigationSatellite System (GLONASS), cellular triangulation technology,network-based location identification technology, Wi-Fi® positioningsystems technology, and combinations thereof.

The media content output device 140 is an interface that enables thePMSA system 110 to transmit media content to the vehicle media playbackdevice 114. Some embodiments of the PMSA system 110 do not have aspeaker and thus cannot play media content independently. In theseembodiments, the PMSA system 110 is not regarded as a standalone devicefor playing media content. Instead, the PMSA system 110 transmits mediacontent to another media playback device, such as the vehicle mediaplayback device 114 to enable the other media playback device to playthe media content, such as through the vehicle stereo system.

As illustrated, the PMSA system 110 (e.g., a media content processingengine 176 thereof in FIG. 2) can convert media content to a mediacontent signal 164, the media content output device 140 transmits themedia content signal 164 to the vehicle media playback system 114. Thevehicle media playback system 114 can play the media content based onthe media content signal 164. For example, the vehicle media playbacksystem 114 operates to convert the media content signal 164 into aformat that is readable by the vehicle media playback system 114 forplayback.

In some embodiments, the media content output device 140 includes anauxiliary (AUX) output interface 166 and a wireless output interface168.

The AUX output interface 166 is configured to connect the PMSA system110 to the vehicle media playback system 114 via a cable (e.g., a mediacontent output line 550 in FIG. 6) of the PMSA system 110. In someembodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the media content output line 550extending from the PMSA system 110 is connected to an input connector340 (e.g., an auxiliary input jack or port) of the vehicle mediaplayback system 114. As illustrated herein, the media content outputline 550 can be of various types, such as an analog audio cable ora USBcable.

The wireless output interface 168 is configured to connect the PMSAsystem 110 to the vehicle media playback system 114 via a wirelesscommunication protocol. In some embodiments, the wireless outputinterface 168 is configured for Bluetooth® connection. In otherembodiments, the wireless output interface 168 is configured for othertypes of wireless connection. In some embodiments, the wireless outputinterface 168 is incorporated into, or implemented with, the in-vehiclewireless communication device 142. For example, when the media contentoutput device 140 wirelessly transmits media content to the vehiclemedia playback system 114, the in-vehicle wireless communication device142 can be used to implement the wireless output interface 168 of themedia content output device 140.

Referring still to FIG. 2, the in-vehicle wireless communication device142 operates to establish a wireless data communication, such as thein-vehicle wireless data communication 122, between computing devices ina vehicle 80. In the illustrated example, the in-vehicle wirelesscommunication device 142 is used to enable the PMSA system 110 tocommunicate with other computing devices, such as the computing device118, in the vehicle 80. Various types of wireless communicationinterfaces can be used for the in-vehicle wireless communication device142, such as Bluetooth® technology®, WiFi® technology, a near fieldcommunication (NFC), and an ultrasound data transmission. The in-vehiclewireless communication is also referred to herein as a short-rangewireless communication.

The power supply 144 is included in the example PMSA system 110 and isconfigured to supply electric power to the PMSA system 110. In someembodiments, the power supply 144 includes at least one battery. Thepower supply 144 can be rechargeable. For example, the power supply 144can be recharged using the power input device 146 that is connected toan external power supply. In some embodiments, the power supply 144 isincluded inside the PMSA system 110 and is not removable from the PMSAsystem 110. In other embodiments, the power supply 144 is removable bythe user from the PMSA system 110.

The power input device 146 is configured to receive electric power tomaintain activation of components of the PMSA system 110. As describedherein, the power input device 146 is connected to a power source of thevehicle 80 (e.g., a vehicle power supply 540 in FIG. 6) and use theelectric power from the vehicle 80 as a primary power source to maintainactivation of the PMSA system 110 over an extended period of time, suchas longer than several minutes.

The processing device 148, in some embodiments, comprises one or morecentral processing units (CPU). In other embodiments, the processingdevice 148 additionally or alternatively includes one or more digitalsignal processors, field-programmable gate arrays, or other electroniccircuits.

The memory device 150 typically includes at least some form ofcomputer-readable media. Computer readable media includes any availablemedia that can be accessed by the PMSA system 110. By way of example,computer-readable media include computer readable storage media andcomputer readable communication media.

Computer readable storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any device configuredto store information such as computer readable instructions, datastructures, program modules, or other data. Computer readable storagemedia includes, but is not limited to, random access memory, read onlymemory, electrically erasable programmable read only memory, flashmemory and other memory technology, compact disc read only memory, blueray discs, digital versatile discs or other optical storage, magneticstorage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store thedesired information and that can be accessed by the PMSA system 110. Insome embodiments, computer readable storage media is non-transitorycomputer readable storage media.

Computer readable communication media typically embodies computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data ina modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term“modulated data signal” refers to a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, computer readable communication mediaincludes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection,and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency, infrared, andother wireless media. Combinations of any of the above are also includedwithin the scope of computer readable media.

The memory device 150 operates to store data and instructions. In someembodiments, the memory device 150 stores instructions for a mediacontent cache 172, a caching management engine 174, a media contentprocessing engine 176, a manual input processing engine 178, a soundprocessing engine 180, and a voice interaction engine 182. The manualinput processing engine 178 can include a preset input processing engine184.

Some embodiments of the memory device 150 include the media contentcache 172. The media content cache 172 stores media content items, suchas media content items that have been received from the media deliverysystem 112. The media content items stored in the media content cache172 may be stored in an encrypted or unencrypted format. In someembodiments, the media content cache 172 also stores metadata aboutmedia content items such as title, artist name, album name, length,genre, mood, era, etc. The media content cache 172 can further storeplayback information about the media content items and/or otherinformation associated with the media content items.

The caching management engine 174 is configured to receive and cachemedia content in the media content cache 172 and manage the mediacontent stored in the media content cache 172. In some embodiments, whenmedia content is streamed from the media delivery system 112, thecaching management engine 174 operates to cache at least a portion ofthe media content into the media content cache 172 so that at least aportion of the cached media content can be transmitted to the vehiclemedia playback system 114 for playback. In other embodiments, thecaching management engine 174 operates to cache at least a portion ofmedia content into the media content cache 172 while online so that thecached media content is retrieved for playback while the PMSA system 110is offline.

The media content processing engine 176 is configured to process themedia content that is received from the media delivery system 112, andgenerate the media content signal 164 usable for the vehicle mediaplayback system 114 to play the media content. The media content signal164 is transmitted to the vehicle media playback system 114 using themedia content output device 140, and then decoded so that the vehiclemedia playback system 114 plays the media content in the vehicle 80.

The manual input processing engine 178 operates to receive the manualinput 154 via the manual input device 160. In some embodiments, when themanual input device 160 is actuated (e.g., pressed or rotated) uponreceiving the manual input 154, the manual input device 160 generates anelectric signal representative of the manual input 154. The manual inputprocessing engine 178 can process the electric signal and determine theuser input (e.g., the user command or instruction) corresponding to themanual input 154 to the PMSA system 110. In some embodiments, the manualinput processing engine 178 can perform a function requested by themanual input 154, such as controlling playback of media content. Themanual input processing engine 178 can cause one or more other enginesto perform the function associated with the manual input 154.

In some embodiments, the manual input processing engine 178 includes thepreset input processing engine 184. The preset input processing engine184 operates to receive a user input via a preset button 512 (as anexample of the manual input 154) and transmit data to the media deliverysystem 112 so that the media delivery system 112 processes the requestas identified by the transmitted data. In some embodiments, when thePMSA system 110 receives a user selection of a preset button 512, thepreset input processing engine 184 generates and transmits a presetsignal (as shown in FIG. 7) to the media delivery system 112, and themedia delivery system 112 operates to determine media content associatedwith the selected preset button 512. An example of includes the presetinput processing engine 184 is illustrated and described in furtherdetail herein, such as with reference to FIG. 7.

The sound processing engine 180 is configured to receive sound signalsobtained from the sound detection device 162 and process the soundsignals to identify different sources of the sounds received via thesound detection device 162. In some embodiments, the sound processingengine 180 operates to filter the user's voice input 156 from noisesincluded in the detected sounds. Various noise cancellationtechnologies, such as active noise control or canceling technologies orpassive noise control or canceling technologies, can be used for filterthe voice input from ambient noise. In examples, the sound processingengine 180 filters out omni-directional noise and preserves directionalnoise (e.g., an audio input difference between two microphones) in audioinput. In examples, the sound processing engine 180 removes frequenciesabove or below human speaking voice frequencies. In examples, the soundprocessing engine 180 subtracts audio output of the device from theaudio input to filter out the audio content being provided by thedevice. (e.g., to reduce the need of the user to shout over playingmusic). In examples, the sound processing engine 180 performs echocancellation. By using one or more of these techniques, the soundprocessing engine 180 provides sound processing customized for use in avehicle environment.

In other embodiments, the sound processing engine 180 operates toprocess the received sound signals to identify the sources of particularsounds of the sound signals, such as people's conversation in thevehicle, the vehicle engine sound, or other ambient sounds associatedwith the vehicle.

In some embodiments, a recording of sounds captured using the sounddetection device 162 can be analyzed using speech recognition technologyto identify words spoken by the user. The words may be recognized ascommands from the user that alter the playback of media content and/orother functions or aspects of the PMSA system 110. In some embodiments,the words and/or the recordings may also be analyzed using naturallanguage processing and/or intent recognition technology to determineappropriate actions to take based on the spoken words. Additionally oralternatively, the sound processing engine 180 may determine varioussound properties about the sounds proximate the PMSA system 110 such asvolume, dominant frequency or frequencies, etc. These sound propertiesmay be used to make inferences about the environment proximate to thePMSA system 110.

The voice interaction engine 182 operates to cooperate with the mediadelivery system 112 (e.g., a voice interaction server 204 thereof asillustrated in FIG. 3) to identify a command (e.g., a user intent) thatis conveyed by the voice input 156. In some embodiments, the voiceinteraction engine 182 transmits the user's voice input 156 that isdetected by the sound processing engine 180 to the media delivery system112 so that the media delivery system 112 operates to determine acommand intended by the voice input 156. In other embodiments, at leastsome of the determination process of the command can be performedlocally by the voice interaction engine 182.

In addition, some embodiments of the voice interaction engine 182 canoperate to cooperate with the media delivery system 112 (e.g., the voiceinteraction server 204 thereof) to provide a voice assistant thatperforms various voice-based interactions with the user, such as voicefeedbacks, voice notifications, voice recommendations, and othervoice-related interactions and services.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of the media deliverysystem 112 of FIG. 1. The media delivery system 112 includes a mediacontent server 200, a personal media streaming appliance (PMSA) server202, and a voice interaction server 204.

The media delivery system 112 comprises one or more computing devicesand provides media content to the PMSA system 110 and, in someembodiments, other media playback devices, such as the computing device118, as well. In addition, the media delivery system 112 interacts withthe PMSA system 110 to provide the PMSA system 110 with variousfunctionalities.

In at least some embodiments, the media content server 200, the PMSAserver 202, and the voice interaction server 204 are provided byseparate computing devices. In other embodiments, the media contentserver 200, the PMSA server 202, and the voice interaction server 204are provided by the same computing device(s). Further, in someembodiments, at least one of the media content server 200, the PMSAserver 202, and the voice interaction server 204 is provided by multiplecomputing devices. For example, the media content server 200, the PMSAserver 202, and the voice interaction server 204 may be provided bymultiple redundant servers located in multiple geographic locations.

Although FIG. 3 shows a single media content server 200, a single PMSAserver 202, and a single voice interaction server 204, some embodimentsinclude multiple media servers, multiple PMSA servers, and/or multiplevoice interaction servers. In these embodiments, each of the multiplemedia servers, multiple PMSA serves, and multiple voice interactionservers may be identical or similar to the media content server 200, thePMSA server 202, and the voice interaction server, respectively, asdescribed herein, and may provide similar functionality with, forexample, greater capacity and redundancy and/or services from multiplegeographic locations. Alternatively, in these embodiments, some of themultiple media servers, the multiple PMSA servers, and/or the multiplevoice interaction servers may perform specialized functions to providespecialized services. Various combinations thereof are possible as well.

The media content server 200 transmits stream media 210 (FIG. 2) tomedia playback devices such as the PMSA system 110. In some embodiments,the media content server 200 includes a media server application 212, aprocessing device 214, a memory device 216, and a network access device218. The processing device 214 and the memory device 216 may be similarto the processing device 148 and the memory device 150, respectively,which have each been previously described. Therefore, the description ofthe processing device 214 and the memory device 216 are omitted forbrevity purposes.

The network access device 218 operates to communicate with othercomputing devices over one or more networks, such as the network 116.Examples of the network access device include one or more wired networkinterfaces and wireless network interfaces. Examples of such wirelessnetwork interfaces of the network access device 218 include wirelesswide area network (WWAN) interfaces (including cellular networks) andwireless local area network (WLANs) interfaces. In other examples, othertypes of wireless interfaces can be used for the network access device218.

In some embodiments, the media server application 212 is configured tostream media content, such as music or other audio, video, or othersuitable forms of media content. The media server application 212includes a media stream service 222, a media application interface 224,and a media data store 226. The media stream service 222 operates tobuffer media content, such as media content items 230A, 230B, and 230N(collectively 230), for streaming to one or more streams 232A, 232B, and232N (collectively 232).

The media application interface 224 can receive requests or othercommunication from media playback devices or other systems, such as thePMSA system 110, to retrieve media content items from the media contentserver 200. For example, in FIG. 2, the media application interface 224receives communication from the PMSA system 110, such as the cachingmanagement engine 174 thereof, to receive media content from the mediacontent server 200.

In some embodiments, the media data store 226 stores media content items234, media content metadata 236, media contexts 238, user accounts 240,and taste profiles 242. The media data store 226 may comprise one ormore databases and file systems. Other embodiments are possible as well.

As discussed herein, the media content items 234 (including the mediacontent items 230) may be audio, video, or any other type of mediacontent, which may be stored in any format for storing media content.

The media content metadata 236 provides various information associatedwith the media content items 234. In some embodiments, the media contentmetadata 236 includes one or more of title, artist name, album name,length, genre, mood, era, etc.

The media content metadata 236 operates to provide various pieces ofinformation associated with the media content items 234. In someembodiments, the media content metadata 236 includes one or more oftitle, artist name, album name, length, genre, mood, era, etc.

In some embodiments, the media content metadata 236 includes acousticmetadata, cultural metadata, and explicit metadata. The acousticmetadata may be derived from analysis of the track and refers to anumerical or mathematical representation of the sound of a track.Acoustic metadata may include temporal information such as tempo,rhythm, beats, downbeats, tatums, patterns, sections, or otherstructures. Acoustic metadata may also include spectral information suchas melody, pitch, harmony, timbre, chroma, loudness, vocalness, or otherpossible features. Acoustic metadata may take the form of one or morevectors, matrices, lists, tables, and other data structures. Acousticmetadata may be derived from analysis of the music signal. One form ofacoustic metadata, commonly termed an acoustic fingerprint, may uniquelyidentify a specific track. Other forms of acoustic metadata may beformed by compressing the content of a track while retaining some or allof its musical characteristics.

The cultural metadata refers to text-based information describinglisteners' reactions to a track or song, such as styles, genres, moods,themes, similar artists and/or songs, rankings, etc. Cultural metadatamay be derived from expert opinion such as music reviews orclassification of music into genres. Cultural metadata may be derivedfrom listeners through websites, chatrooms, blogs, surveys, and thelike. Cultural metadata may include sales data, shared collections,lists of favorite songs, and any text information that may be used todescribe, rank, or interpret music. Cultural metadata may also begenerated by a community of listeners and automatically retrieved fromInternet sites, chat rooms, blogs, and the like. Cultural metadata maytake the form of one or more vectors, matrices, lists, tables, and otherdata structures. A form of cultural metadata particularly useful forcomparing music is a description vector. A description vector is amulti-dimensional vector associated with a track, album, or artist. Eachterm of the description vector indicates the probability that acorresponding word or phrase would be used to describe the associatedtrack, album or artist.

The explicit metadata refers to factual or explicit information relatingto music. Explicit metadata may include album and song titles, artistand composer names, other credits, album cover art, publisher name andproduct number, and other information. Explicit metadata is generallynot derived from the music itself or from the reactions or opinions oflisteners.

At least some of the metadata 236, such as explicit metadata (names,credits, product numbers, etc.) and cultural metadata (styles, genres,moods, themes, similar artists and/or songs, rankings, etc.), for alarge library of songs or tracks can be evaluated and provided by one ormore third party service providers. Acoustic and cultural metadata maytake the form of parameters, lists, matrices, vectors, and other datastructures. Acoustic and cultural metadata may be stored as XML files,for example, or any other appropriate file type. Explicit metadata mayinclude numerical, text, pictorial, and other information. Explicitmetadata may also be stored in an XML, or other file. All or portions ofthe metadata may be stored in separate files associated with specifictracks. All or portions of the metadata, such as acoustic fingerprintsand/or description vectors, may be stored in a searchable datastructure, such as a k-D tree or other database format.

Referring still to FIG. 3, each of the media contexts 238 is used toidentify one or more media content items 234. In some embodiments, themedia contexts 238 are configured to group one or more media contentitems 234 and provide a particular context to the group of media contentitems 234. Some examples of the media contexts 238 include albums,artists, playlists, and individual media content items. By way ofexample, where a media context 238 is an album, the media context 238can represent that the media content items 234 identified by the mediacontext 238 are associated with that album.

As described above, the media contexts 238 can include playlists 239.The playlists 239 are used to identify one or more of the media contentitems 234. In some embodiments, the playlists 239 identify a group ofthe media content items 234 in a particular order. In other embodiments,the playlists 239 merely identify a group of the media content items 234without specifying a particular order. Some, but not necessarily all, ofthe media content items 234 included in a particular one of theplaylists 239 are associated with a common characteristic such as acommon genre, mood, or era.

In some embodiments, a user can listen to media content items in aplaylist 239 by selecting the playlist 239 via a media playback device104, such as the PMSA system 110. The media playback device 104 thenoperates to communicate with the media delivery system 112 so that themedia delivery system 112 retrieves the media content items identifiedby the playlist 239 and transmits data for the media content items tothe media playback device 104 for playback.

In some embodiments, the playlist 239 includes a playlist title and alist of content media item identifications. The playlist title is atitle of the playlist, which can be provided by a user using the mediaplayback device 104. The list of content media item identificationsincludes one or more media content item identifications (IDs) that referto respective media content items 170.

Each media content item is identified by a media content item ID andincludes various pieces of information, such as a media content itemtitle, artist identification (e.g., individual artist name or groupname, or multiple artist names or group names), and media content itemdata. In some embodiments, the media content item title and the artistID are part of the media content metadata 236, which can further includeother attributes of the media content item, such as album name, length,genre, mood, era, etc. as described herein.

At least some of the playlists 239 may include user-created playlists.For example, a user of a media streaming service provided using themedia delivery system 112 can create a playlist 239 and edit theplaylist 239 by adding, removing, and rearranging media content items inthe playlist 239. A playlist 239 can be created and/or edited by a groupof users together to make it a collaborative playlist. In someembodiments, user-created playlists can be available to a particularuser only, a group of users, or to the public based on a user-definableprivacy setting.

In some embodiments, when a playlist is created by a user or a group ofusers, the media delivery system 112 operates to generate a list ofmedia content items recommended for the particular user or theparticular group of users. In some embodiments, such recommended mediacontent items can be selected based at least on the taste profiles 242as described herein. Other information or factors can be used todetermine the recommended media content items. Examples of determiningrecommended media content items are described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/858,377, titled MEDIA CONTENT ITEM RECOMMENDATION SYSTEM,filed Dec. 29, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

In addition or alternatively, at least some of the playlists 239 arecreated by a media streaming service provider. For example, suchprovider-created playlists can be automatically created by the mediadelivery system 112. In some embodiments, a provider-created playlistcan be customized to a particular user or a particular group of users.By way of example, a playlist for a particular user can be automaticallycreated by the media delivery system 112 based on the user's listeninghistory (e.g., the user's taste profile) and/or listening history ofother users with similar tastes. In other embodiments, aprovider-created playlist can be configured to be available for thepublic in general. Provider-created playlists can also be sharable withother users.

The user accounts 240 are used to identify users of a media streamingservice provided by the media delivery system 112. In some embodiments,a user account 240 allows a user to authenticate to the media deliverysystem 112 and enable the user to access resources (e.g., media contentitems, playlists, etc.) provided by the media delivery system 112. Insome embodiments, the user can use different devices (e.g., the PMSAsystem 110 and the computing device 118) to log into the user accountand access data associated with the user account in the media deliverysystem 112. User authentication information, such as a username, emailaccount information, a password, and other credentials, can be used forthe user to log into his or her user account.

The taste profiles 242 contain records indicating media content tastesof users. A taste profile can be associated with a user and used tomaintain an in-depth understanding of the music activity and preferenceof that user, enabling personalized recommendations, taste profiling anda wide range of social music applications. Libraries and wrappers can beaccessed to create taste profiles from a media library of the user,social website activity and other specialized databases to mine musicpreferences.

In some embodiments, each taste profile 242 is a representation ofmusical activities, such as user preferences and historical informationabout the user's consumption of media content, and can include a widerange of information such as artist plays, song plays, skips, dates oflisten by the user, songs per day, playlists, play counts,start/stop/skip data for portions of a song or album, contents ofcollections, user rankings, preferences, or other mentions received viaa client device, or other media plays, such as websites visited, booktitles, movies watched, playing activity during a movie or otherpresentations, ratings, or terms corresponding to the media, such as“comedy”, etc.

In addition, the taste profiles 242 can include other information. Forexample, the taste profiles 242 can include libraries and/or playlistsof media content items associated with the user. The taste profiles 242can also include information about the user's relationships with otherusers (e.g., associations between users that are stored by the mediadelivery system 112 or on a separate social media site).

The taste profiles 242 can be used for a number of purposes. One use oftaste profiles is for creating personalized playlists (e.g., personalplaylisting). An API call associated with personal playlisting can beused to return a playlist customized to a particular user. For example,the media content items listed in the created playlist are constrainedto the media content items in a taste profile associated with theparticular user. Another example use case is for event recommendation. Ataste profile can be created, for example, for a festival that containsall the artists in the festival. Music recommendations can beconstrained to artists in the taste profile. Yet another use case is forpersonalized recommendation, where the contents of a taste profile areused to represent an individual's taste. This API call uses a tasteprofile as a seed for obtaining recommendations or playlists of similarartists. Yet another example taste profile use case is referred to asbulk resolution. A bulk resolution API call is used to resolve tasteprofile items to pre-stored identifiers associated with a service, suchas a service that provides metadata about items associated with thetaste profile (e.g., song tempo for a large catalog of items). Yetanother example use case for taste profiles is referred to asuser-to-user recommendation. This API call is used to discover userswith similar tastes by comparing the similarity of taste profile item(s)associated with users.

A taste profile 242 can represent a single user or multiple users.Conversely, a single user or entity can have multiple taste profiles242. For example, one taste profile can be generated in connection witha user's media content play activity, whereas another separate tasteprofile can be generated for the same user based the user's selection ofmedia content items and/or artists for a playlist.

Referring still to FIG. 3, the PMSA server 202 operates to providevarious functionalities to the PMSA system 110. In some embodiments, thePMSA server 202 includes a personal media streaming appliance (PMSA)server application 250, a processing device 252, a memory device 254,and a network access device 256. The processing device 252, the memorydevice 254, and the network access device 256 may be similar to theprocessing device 214, the memory device 216, and the network accessdevice 218, respectively, which have each been previously described.

In some embodiments, the PMSA server application 250 operates tointeract with the PMSA system 110 and enable the PMSA system 110 toperform various functions, such as receiving a user manual input,displaying information, providing notifications, performing powermanagement, providing location-based services, and authenticating one ormore users for the PMSA system 110. The PMSA server application 250 caninteract with other servers, such as the media content server 200 andthe voice interaction server 204, to execute such functions. An exampleof the PMSA server application 250 is illustrated and described infurther detail herein, such as with reference to FIG. 7.

Referring still to FIG. 3, the voice interaction server 204 operates toprovide various voice-related functionalities to the PMSA system 110. Insome embodiments, the voice interaction server 204 includes a voiceinteraction server application 270, a processing device 272, a memorydevice 274, and a network access device 276. The processing device 272,the memory device 274, and the network access device 276 may be similarto the processing device 214, the memory device 216, and the networkaccess device 218, respectively, which have each been previouslydescribed.

In some embodiments, the voice interaction server application 270operates to interact with the PMSA system 110 and enable the PMSA system110 to perform various voice-related functions, such as voice feedbackand voice notifications. In some embodiments, the voice interactionserver application 270 is configured to receive data (e.g.,speech-to-text (STT) data) representative of a voice input received viathe PMSA system 110 and process the data to determine a user command(e.g., a user request or instruction). In some embodiments, at least oneof the media content server 200, the PMSA server 202, and the voiceinteraction server 204 may be used to perform one or more functionscorresponding the determined user command.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of the vehicle mediaplayback system 114. In this example, the vehicle media playback system114 includes a vehicle head unit 302, an amplifier 304, and a speaker306.

The vehicle head unit 302 is configured to receive a user input andgenerate media content from various sources. In this example, thevehicle head unit 302 includes a receiver 310, a wireless communicationdevice 312, a wired input device 314, a processing device 316, a memorydevice 318, a user input assembly 320, a display device 322, and astored media interface assembly 324.

The receiver 310 operates to receive media content signals from variousexternal sources. The received signals can then be used to generatemedia output by the vehicle media playback system 264. Some embodimentsof the receiver 310 include one or more tuners for receiving radiosignals such as FM or AM radio signals. Other embodiments of thereceiver 310 include a receiver for receiving satellite radio signalsand/or a receiver for receiving internet radio signals.

The wireless communication device 312 operates to communicate with otherdevices using wireless data signals. The wireless communication device312 can include one or more of a Bluetooth® transceiver and a WiFi®transceiver. The wireless data signal may comprise a media contentsignal such as an audio or video signal. In some embodiments, thewireless communication device 312 is used to enable the vehicle mediaplayback system 114 to wirelessly communicate with the PMSA system 110and receive the media content signal 164 (FIG. 2) from the PMSA system110 via an in-vehicle wireless network. The in-vehicle wireless networkbetween the PMSA system 110 and the vehicle media playback system 114can be configured similarly to the in-vehicle wireless datacommunication 122 (FIG. 2).

The wired input device 314 provides an interface configured to receive acable for providing media content and/or commands. The wired inputdevice 314 includes an input connector 340 configured to receive a plugextending from a media playback device for transmitting a signal formedia content. In some embodiments, the wired input device 314 caninclude an auxiliary input jack (AUX) for receiving a plug from a mediaplayback device that transmits analog audio signals. The wired inputdevice 314 can also include different or multiple input jacks forreceiving plugs from media playback devices that transmit other types ofanalog or digital signals (e.g., USB, HDMI, Composite Video, YPbPr,DVI). In some embodiments, the wired input device 314 is also used toreceive instructions from other devices.

In some embodiments, the wired input device 314 provides the inputconnector 340 (e.g., an AUX port) for receiving a connector 552extending from the PMSA system 110, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The mediacontent signal 164 is then transmitted from the PMSA system 110 to thevehicle media playback system 114 via the cable 550, the connector 552,and the input connector 340.

The processing device 316 operates to control various devices,components, and elements of the vehicle media playback system 114. Theprocessing device 316 can be configured similar to the processing device148 (FIG. 2) and, therefore, the description of the processing device316 is omitted for brevity purposes.

In some embodiments, the processing device 316 operates to process themedia content signal 164 received from the PMSA system 110 and convertthe signal 164 to a format readable by the vehicle media playback system114 for playback.

The memory device 318 is configured to store data and instructions thatare usable to control various devices, components, and elements of thevehicle media playback system 114. The memory device 318 can beconfigured similar to the memory device 150 (FIG. 2) and, therefore, thedescription of the memory device 318 is omitted for brevity purposes.

The user input assembly 320 includes one or more input devices forreceiving user input from users for controlling the vehicle mediaplayback system 114. In some embodiments, the user input assembly 320includes multiple knobs, buttons, and other types of input controls foradjusting volume, selecting sources and content, and adjusting variousoutput parameters. In some embodiments, the various input devices aredisposed on or near a front surface of the vehicle head unit 302. Thevarious input devices can also be disposed on the steering wheel of thevehicle or elsewhere. Additionally or alternatively, the user inputassembly 320 can include one or more touch sensitive surfaces, which canbe incorporated in the display device 322.

The display device 322 displays information. In some embodiments, thedisplay device 322 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel fordisplaying textual information about content and/or settings of thevehicle media playback system 114. The display device 322 can alsoinclude other types of display panels such as a light emitting diode(LED) panel. In some embodiments, the display device 322 can alsodisplay image or video content.

The stored media interface assembly 324 reads media content stored on aphysical medium. In some embodiments, the stored media interfaceassembly 324 comprises one or more devices for reading media contentfrom a physical medium such as a compact disc or cassette tape.

The amplifier 304 operates to amplify a signal received from the vehiclehead unit 302 and transmits the amplified signal to the speaker 306. Inthis manner, the media output 124 can be played back at a greatervolume. The amplifier 304 may include a power source to power theamplification.

The speaker 306 operates to produce an audio output (e.g., the mediaoutput 124) based on an electronic signal. The speaker 306 can includeone or more vehicle embedded speakers 330 disposed at various locationswithin the vehicle 80. In some embodiments, separate signals arereceived for at least some of the speakers (e.g., to provide stereo orsurround sound).

In other embodiments, the speaker 306 can include one or more externalspeakers 332 which are arranged within the vehicle 80. Users may bringone or more external speakers 332 into the vehicle 80 and connect theexternal speakers 332 to the vehicle head unit 302 using a wiredinterface or a wireless interface. In some embodiments, the externalspeakers 332 can be connected to the vehicle head unit 302 usingBluetooth®. Other wireless protocols can be used to connect the externalspeakers 332 to the vehicle head unit 302. In other embodiments, a wiredconnection (e.g., a cable) can be used to connect the external speakers332 to the vehicle head unit 302. Examples of the wired connectioninclude an analog or digital audio cable connection and a universalserial bus (USB) cable connection. The external speaker 332 can alsoinclude a mechanical apparatus for attachment to a structure of thevehicle.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of the computingdevice 118 of FIG. 1.

Similar to the PMSA system 110, the computing device 118 can also beused to play media content. For example, the computing device 118 isconfigured to play media content that is provided (e.g., streamed ortransmitted) by a system external to the computing device 118, such asthe media delivery system 112, another system, or a peer device. Inother examples, the computing device 118 operates to play media contentstored locally on the computing device 118. In yet other examples, thecomputing device 118 operates to play media content that is storedlocally as well as media content provided by other systems.

In some embodiments, the computing device 118 is a mobile device, suchas a handheld or portable entertainment device, smartphone, tablet,watch, wearable device, or any other type of computing device capable ofplaying media content. In other embodiments, the computing device 118 isa laptop computer, desktop computer, television, gaming console, set-topbox, network appliance, blue-ray or DVD player, media player, stereo, orradio.

As described herein, the computing device 118 is distinguished from thePMSA system 110 in various aspects. For example, unlike the PMSA system110, the computing device 118 is not limited to playing media content,but configured for a wide range of functionalities in various situationsand places. The computing device 118 is capable of running a pluralityof different software applications for different purposes. The computingdevice 118 enables the user to freely start or stop activation of suchindividual software applications.

In at least some embodiments, the computing device 118 includes alocation-determining device 402, a display screen 404, a processingdevice 406, a memory device 408, a media content output device 410, anda network access device 412. Other embodiments may include additional,different, or fewer components. For example, some embodiments mayinclude a recording device such as a microphone or camera that operatesto record audio or video content.

The location-determining device 402 is a device that determines thelocation of the computing device 118. In some embodiments, thelocation-determining device 402 uses one or more of Global PositioningSystem (GPS) technology (which may receive GPS signals), GlobalNavigation Satellite System (GLONASS), cellular triangulationtechnology, network-based location identification technology, Wi-Fi®positioning systems technology, and combinations thereof.

The display screen 404 is configured to display information. Inaddition, the display screen 404 is configured as a touch sensitivedisplay and includes a user interface 420 for receiving a user inputfrom a selector (e.g., a finger, stylus etc.) controlled by the user U.In some embodiments, therefore, the display screen 404 operates as botha display device and a user input device. The touch sensitive displayscreen 404 operates to detect inputs based on one or both of touches andnear-touches. In some embodiments, the display screen 404 displays agraphical user interface for interacting with the computing device 118.Other embodiments of the display screen 404 do not include a touchsensitive display screen. Some embodiments include a display device andone or more separate user interface devices. Further, some embodimentsdo not include a display device.

In some embodiments, the processing device 406 comprises one or morecentral processing units (CPU). In other embodiments, the processingdevice 406 additionally or alternatively includes one or more digitalsignal processors, field-programmable gate arrays, or other electroniccircuits.

The memory device 408 operates to store data and instructions. In someembodiments, the memory device 408 stores instructions for a mediaplayback engine 430.

The memory device 408 may be configured similarly to the memory device150 (FIG. 2) and, therefore, the description of the memory device 408 isomitted for brevity purposes.

The media playback engine 430 operates to play media content to the userU. As described herein, the media playback engine 430 is configured tocommunicate with the media delivery system 112 to receive one or moremedia content items (e.g., through the stream media 232). In otherembodiments, the media playback engine 430 is configured to play mediacontent that is locally stored in the computing device 118.

In some embodiments, the media playback engine 430 operates to retrieveone or more media content items that are either locally stored in thecomputing device 118 or remotely stored in the media delivery system114. In some embodiments, the media playback engine 430 is configured tosend a request to the media delivery system 114 for media content itemsand receive information about such media content items for playback.

Referring still to FIG. 5, the media content output device 410 operatesto output media content. In some embodiments, the media content outputdevice 410 generates media output 450 for the user U. In someembodiments, the media content output device 410 includes one or moreembedded speakers 452 which are incorporated in the computing device118. Therefore, the computing device 118 can be used as a standalonedevice that generates the media output 450.

In addition, some embodiments of the computing device 118 include anexternal speaker interface 454 as an alternative output of mediacontent. The external speaker interface 454 is configured to connect thecomputing device 118 to another system having one or more speakers, suchas headphones, portal speaker assemblies, and the vehicle media playbacksystem 114, so that the media output 450 is generated via the speakersof the other system external to the computing device 118. Examples ofthe external speaker interface 454 include an audio output jack, aBluetooth® transmitter, a display panel, and a video output jack. Otherembodiments are possible as well. For example, the external speakerinterface 454 is configured to transmit a signal through the audiooutput jack or Bluetooth® transmitter that can be used to reproduce anaudio signal by a connected or paired device such as headphones or aspeaker.

The network access device 412 operates to communicate with othercomputing devices over one or more networks, such as the network 116 andthe in-vehicle wireless data communication 122. Examples of the networkaccess device 412 include wired network interfaces and wireless networkinterfaces. Wireless network interfaces includes infrared, Bluetooth®wireless technology, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, and cellular or other radiofrequency interfaces in at least some possible embodiments.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example embodiment of the PMSAsystem 110 of FIG. 1. In this example, the PMSA system 110 includes apersonal media streaming appliance (PMSA) 500 and a docking device 502.

As described herein, the PMSA system 110 is sized to be relatively smallso that the PMSA system 110 can be easily mounted to a structure (e.g.,a dashboard or head unit) of the vehicle 80 where the user canconveniently manipulate the PMSA system 110. By way of example, the PMSAsystem 110 is configured to be smaller than a typical mobile computingdevice, such as a smartphone. Further, the PMSA 500 provides asimplified user interface for controlling playback of media content. Forexample, the PMSA 500 has a limited set of physical control elements,such as a single rotary knob and one or more physical buttons asdescribed below, so that the user can easily control the PMSA system 110in the vehicle 80 (FIG. 1).

The PMSA 500 is configured to include at least some of the devices ofthe PMSA system 110 as illustrated with reference to FIG. 2. In someembodiments, the PMSA 500 includes all of the devices of the PMSA system110 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

As illustrated also in FIG. 2, some embodiments of the PMSA 500 includethe user input device 130 that includes the manual input device 160 andthe sound detection device 162. Some embodiments of the manual inputdevice 160 include a control knob 510 and one or more physical buttons512.

In some embodiments, the control knob 510 is configured to bemaneuverable in multiple ways. For example, the control knob 510provides a plurality of regions on a knob face 514 that areindependently depressible upon receiving a user's pressing actionagainst the knob face 514. In the illustrated example, the control knob510 has five regions 516 (e.g., up, down, left, right, and middle) thatare separately depressible. At least some of the regions 516 areconfigured to receive inputs of different user commands (e.g., requestsor instructions).

In other embodiments, the control knob 510 is configured to bemanipulated in different ways, such as tilting in multiple directions orsliding in multiple directions.

In addition, the control knob 510 is configured to be rotatable. Forexample, the user can hold the control knob 510 and rotate with respectto a body 520 of the PMSA 500. The control knob 510 can be rotatable inboth directions 522 (e.g., clockwise and counterclockwise). In otherembodiments, the control knob 510 is configured to rotate in only onedirection.

The control knob 510 is used to receive user inputs for controllingplayback of media content. In addition or alternatively, the controlknob 510 can be used to receive user inputs for other purposes orfunctions.

The physical buttons 512 are configured to be depressed upon receiving auser's pressing action against the physical buttons 512. In theillustrated example, the PMSA 500 has four physical buttons 512A-512D.In some embodiments, each of the physical buttons 512 is configured toreceive a single user command. In other embodiments, at least one of thephysical buttons 512 is configured to receive multiple user commands.

In some embodiments, the physical buttons 512 are used as buttons thatare preset to be associated with particular media content, therebyfacilitating playback of such media content. In these embodiments, thephysical buttons 512 are also referred to as preset buttons 512.

In some embodiments, the preset buttons 512 are configured to receivethe manual input 154 to play media content that are preset to therespective preset buttons 512. In some embodiments, the preset buttonassemblies 512 are arranged at the front side of the body 520. In theillustrated example, four preset buttons 512A, 512B, 512C, and 512D(collectively 512) are provided at the front side of the body 520.

The preset buttons 512 can be distinguished from each other in variousmethods. In the illustrated example, different numbers of dots are usedto indicate different preset buttons 512. For example, the presetbuttons 512A, 512B, 512C, and 512D are provided with one dots, two dots,three dots, and four dots, respectively. The dots can be configured withat least partially tubes that can protrude above the surface of thefront side to provide tactile sensation when touched or pressed by auser. The dots can be made of at least transparent material and lit byone or more light sources from the inside of the body 520. In otherembodiments, different symbols, signs, or indicia can be used todifferentiate the preset buttons 512.

In some embodiments, the preset buttons 512 can be actuated by apressing action against the preset buttons 512. For example, the presetbuttons 512 are configured to be depressed when a user presses thepreset buttons 512 against the surface of the front side of the body520, and the preset buttons 512 operate to detect the depressionthereof.

In some embodiments, each of the preset buttons 512 is configured toreceive a single user command. For example, the preset button assemblies512 are configured such that a single pressing action against each ofthem corresponds to a single input. In other embodiments, at least oneof the preset buttons 512 is configured to receive multiple usercommands. For example, different pressing actions (e.g., a set ofpressing and releasing, a set of pressing and holding for apredetermined period of time, a set of multiple pressings for apredetermined of time, etc.) can correspond to different user inputs.

In other embodiments, the physical buttons 512 can be used fornon-content related actions. By way of example, the physical buttons 512can be used for playback control actions, such as playback mode (e.g.,shuffle, repeat, normal, etc.), playback speed (e.g., normal, slower,faster, etc.), crossfade (e.g., crossfade length), equalizer settings,audio normalization, and other possible settings relating to mediacontent playback. Further, the physical buttons 512 can be used toconnect the PMSA system 110 with other devices, such as the computingdevice 118.

It should be understood that physical buttons 512 can be any known orfuture developed component that is used to provide an activation signalto a processing device. For example physical buttons 512 can bemechanical button switches, conductive button switches, or capacitivebutton switches.

Although the present disclosure is primarily described herein withreference to physical preset buttons of the media playback device 104,such as the PMSA system 110, it is understood that the presentdisclosure is similarly applicable for other types of presets in themedia playback device 104, such as presets that are voice-controlledwithout physical buttons. For example, the presets associated with thephysical preset buttons 512 can be also activated by a voice command. Byway of example, the PMSA system 110 receives a voice command from a userthat requests for media content associated with a preset button 512, andthe voice command (e.g., an utterance) is analyzed to identify the userrequest. Such analysis can be performed either locally in the PMSAsystem 110 or in the backend server (e.g., the media delivery system112), or both. Then, the media delivery system 112 can determine mediacontent associated with the preset button 512 and transmit a signalrepresentative of the media content to the PMSA system 110 for playback.

In other embodiments, in addition to, or alternative to, the physicalpreset buttons 512, voice-only presets can be provided for the PMSAsystem 110. Such voice-only presets can be created and stored in thePMSA system 110 locally and/or in the backend server, and be operatedonly by a voice command. In some embodiments, the voice-only presets canbe shared among different media playback devices associated with thesame user account.

In addition, the PMSA 500 also includes the display device 132. In someembodiments, the display device 132 is arranged at the knob face 514 ofthe control knob 510. As described herein, in some embodiments, thedisplay device 132 does not include a touch sensitive display screen,and is configured as a display device only. In other embodiments,however, the display device 132 can be configured to be touch sensitiveand receive a user input through the display device132 as well.

Referring still to FIG. 6, the docking device 502 is configured to mountthe PMSA 500 to a structure of the vehicle 80. The docking device 502 isconfigured to removably mount the PMSA 500 thereto. The docking device502 is further configured to attach to a structure of the vehicle 80(FIG. 1) so that the PMSA 500 is positioned at the structure of thevehicle 80.

In some embodiments, an interface between the PMSA 500 and the dockingdevice 502 is configured to prevent the PMSA 500 from rotating relativeto the docking device 502 when the control knob 510 is manipulated by auser. For example, the docking device 502 has a portion (e.g., a frontportion of the docking device 502) configured to interlock acorresponding portion of the PMSA 500 (e.g., a rear portion of the PMSA500) when the PMSA 500 is mounted to the docking device 502 such thatthe portion of the docking device 502 and the corresponding portion ofthe PMSA 500 form the interface therebetween.

In addition or alternatively, the PMSA 500 and the docking device 502include magnetic materials at the interface therebetween so that thePMSA 500 and the docking device 502 are magnetically coupled to eachother.

In some embodiments, the docking device 502 includes one or moreelectrical contacts 530 that are electrically connected to correspondingelectrical contacts (not shown in FIG. 6) of the PMSA 500 when the PMSA500 is mounted to the docking device 502. Such electrical connectionbetween the PMSA 500 and the docking device 502 is provided for variousfunctions.

First, as described herein, the PMSA 500 does not include a batterysufficient for a prolonged use without an external power supply. In someembodiments, the PMSA 500 is primarily powered by a vehicle power supply540. In some embodiments, the docking device 502 has a power receivingline 544 for connection to the vehicle power supply 540. For example,the power receiving line 544 extends from the docking device 502 and hasa power connector 546 at a free end that is configured to mate with avehicle power outlet 542 (e.g., a 12V auxiliary power outlet) of thevehicle power supply 540. As such, the docking device 502 receiveselectric power from the vehicle power supply 540 via the power receivingline 544, and the electrical connection between the PMSA 500 and thedocking device 502 is configured to deliver electric power from thedocking device 502 to the PMSA 500.

Second, as described herein, the PMSA 500 does not have a speaker and isdesigned to transmit media content signals to the vehicle media playbacksystem 114 so that the media content is played through the vehicle mediaplayback system 114. In some embodiments, the docking device 502includes a media content output line 550 (also referred to herein as amedia content output cable) (e.g., an auxiliary (AUX) output) configuredto connect with the vehicle media playback input connector 340 (e.g., anauxiliary (AUX) port) of the vehicle media playback system 114. Thedocking device 502 is configured to receive media content signals fromthe PMSA 500 via the electrical connection between the PMSA 500 and thedocking device 502, and transmit the signals to the vehicle mediaplayback system 114 via the media content output line 550. In theillustrated embodiment, the power receiving line 544 and the mediacontent output line 550 are combined to be a single line extending fromthe docking device 502 until the power connector 546, and the mediacontent output line 550 further extends (or branches out) from the powerconnector 546 and terminates at a media output connector 552. The mediaoutput connector 552 is configured to connect to the vehicle mediaplayback input connector 340 of the vehicle media playback system 114.In other embodiments, the media content output line 550 and the powerreceiving line 544 extend separately from the docking device 502.

In other embodiments, one or more of the power receiving line 544 andthe media content output line 550 are directly connected to, and extendfrom, the PMSA 500 so that electric power is directly supplied to thePMSA 500 without the docking device 502 involved, and that the mediacontent is directly transmitted to the vehicle media playback system 114without passing through the docking device 502.

Third, the electrical connection between the PMSA 500 and the dockingdevice 502 can be used to detect connection between the PMSA 500 and thedocking device 502.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example system 600 for media content playbackusing a cloud-based preset. In some embodiments, the system 600 isimplemented at least in part with the system 100 as described herein.For example, the system 600 includes the PMSA system 110, the mediadelivery system 112, and one or more computing devices 118. As describedherein, the PMSA system 110, the media delivery system 112, and thecomputing devices 118 can be in data communication via the datacommunication network 116 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, the system 600 is configured such that the mediadelivery system 112 stores data about the preset buttons 512 of the PMSAsystem 110. For example, media content (e.g., media contexts) assignedto the preset buttons 512 and/or playback information about the mediacontent assigned to the preset buttons 512 are stored in the mediadelivery system 112. The media delivery system 112 operates to modifythe data about the preset buttons 512 as information of the data (e.g.,settings or playback states of the preset buttons 512) is changed. Forexample, when another media content is newly assigned to a preset button512 of the PMSA system 110, the media delivery system 112 stores such anew assignment to the preset button 512 so that the new media contentthat is now associated with the preset button 512 can be identifiedwithin the media delivery system 112, with no need of communicating withthe PMSA system 110 to obtain the new media content therefrom. Further,as the data about the preset buttons 512 of the PMSA system 110 isstored in the media delivery system 112, the data can be shared amongother devices than PMSA system 110, such as the computing devices 118.

Although the PMSA system 110 is primarily described in this example toinclude preset buttons and associated elements (e.g., engines), it isunderstood that any other media playback devices 104, such as thecomputing devices 118, can be configured to have one or more presetbuttons and associated elements and perform the same or similarfunctions as the PMSA system 110.

In some embodiments, the PMSA system 110 includes the preset inputprocessing engine 184 (as described also in FIG. 2) and local presetdata 602.

As described herein, the preset input processing engine 184 operates toreceive a user input (e.g., the manual input 154) via a preset button512 of the PMSA system 110. The preset button 512 can be configured tobe actuated in various methods for receiving a user input. In someembodiments, the preset button 512 is configured as a physicallydepressible button. In these embodiments, the preset button 512 can beactuated by being depressed, which is caused by a pressing action usinga user's finger or another body portion.

The preset input processing engine 184 can be configured to interpretand process different user actions against the preset button 512 asdifferent user inputs. By way of example, in the embodiments where thepreset button 512 is a physically depressible button, a single action ofpushing and releasing the preset button 512 can be interpreted as arequest for playing a media context assigned to the preset button 512 ifthe media context is not currently playing. If the media context iscurrently playing, the same single action of pushing and releasing thepreset button 512 can be determined as a request for stopping (includingpausing) the playback of the media context. In addition, while a mediacontext that is not assigned to the preset button 512 is currentlyplaying, an action of pushing the preset button 512 and holding it for apredetermined of time (e.g., 2 seconds) can be used as a request forassigning the currently-playing media context to the preset button 512.In other embodiments, other actions against the preset button 512 can beassociated with the user requests above or any other user requests.

When the preset button 512 is actuated (e.g., pressed) upon receivingthe user input, the preset button 512 can generate a signalrepresentative of the user input. The preset input processing engine 184can operate to receive and process the signal and determine a request(also referred to herein as a command or instruction) intended by theuser input via the preset button 512.

In some embodiments, the preset input processing engine 184 furtheroperates to generate and transmit a preset signal 604 to the mediadelivery system 112. The preset signal 604 includes the request receivedvia the preset button 512. In some embodiments, the request includes arequest for playback of media content associated with the preset button512. Therefore, the preset button 512 is an example of a preset signalsource. When the media delivery system 112 receives the preset signal604, the media delivery system 112 can identify the media contentassigned to the preset button 512 and transmit the media content 232 tothe PMSA system 110 for playback. An example of the preset signal 604 isillustrated and described in further detail herein, such as withreference to FIG. 9. An example method of operating the preset inputprocessing engine 184 is illustrated and described in further detailherein, such as with reference to FIG. 12.

In some embodiments, the PMSA system 110 stores the local preset data602. The local preset data 602 can be stored locally in the PMSA system110. The local preset data 602 include data about the preset buttons 512of the PMSA system 110. An example of the local preset data 602 isillustrated and described in further detail herein, such as withreference to FIG. 8.

Still referring to FIG. 7, the media delivery system 112 includes thePMSA server application 250 (as described also in FIG. 3) and cloudpreset data 610. The PMSA server application 250 can include thepreset-based media delivery engine 126 (as described in FIG. 1), which,in some embodiments, can include a cloud-based preset management engine612 and a multiple media playback devices management engine 614.

In some embodiments, the cloud-based preset management engine 612 of thepreset-based media delivery engine 126 operates to receive the presetsignal 604 from the PMSA system 110 and perform one or more functionsbased on the preset signal 604. In some embodiments, the cloud-basedpreset management engine 612 operates to determine media content 232that are associated with a preset button identified by the preset signal604, and transmit the determined media content 232 to the PMSA system110 for playback. In some embodiments, the determination of the mediacontent 232 can be performed based at least in part on the cloud presetdata 610. Example methods of operating the cloud-based preset managementengine 612 are illustrated and described in further detail herein, suchas with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

In some embodiments, the cloud preset data 610 include data about thepreset buttons 512 of the PMSA system 110. An example structure of thecloud preset data 610 is illustrated and described in further detailherein, such as with reference to FIG. 9. The cloud preset data 610 isstored in the media delivery system 112, which is remote from the PMSAsystem 110. The cloud preset data 610 can be used to perform functionsthat are associated with the preset buttons 512 of the PMSA system 110,such as determining which media content is assigned to the presetbutton, streaming the media content for playback, and determining theplayback state of the media content.

Further, the cloud preset data 610 can be updated as any informationtherein has been changed, so that the cloud preset data 610 can keepdata about the preset buttons 512 up-to-date. For example, any requestor change made to the preset buttons 512 of the PMSA system 110, eitherlocally at the PMSA system 110 or remotely via other computing devices(e.g., the computing devices 118), can be informed to the media deliverysystem 112 and incorporated into the cloud preset data 610. In someembodiments, an update to the cloud preset data 610 can be performed inreal-time to the extent that the media delivery system 112 is connectedto the network 116 to receive the update. Alternatively, an update tothe cloud preset data 610 can be stored at least temporarily locally atthe PMSA system 110 or other computing devices that initiate or causesuch an update, when the media delivery system 112 is offline. Thelocally stored update information can be transmitted to the mediadelivery system 112 once the media delivery system 112 becomes connectedto the network 116.

Referring still to FIG. 7, the multiple media playback devicesmanagement engine 614 operates to perform functions requested from oneor more other media playback devices 104, such as the computing device118. Further, the multiple media playback devices management engine 614can operate to share at least part of the cloud preset data 610 withother media playback devices 104. For example, the multiple mediaplayback devices management engine 614 can use at least part of thecloud preset data 610 to perform functions requested from the othermedia playback devices 104. An example method of operating the multiplemedia playback devices management engine 614 is illustrated anddescribed in further detail herein, such as with reference to FIG. 15.

In some embodiments, the multiple media playback devices managementengine 614 operates to receive a request signal 620 from a mediaplayback device 104. The request signal 620 can include a request forparticular media content for playback. If the requested media content isthe media content that is associated with the preset button 512 of thePMSA system 110, the multiple media playback devices management engine614 can refer to the cloud preset data 610 and obtain information aboutthe preset button 512, such as the playback state of the media contentassociated with the preset button 512. The multiple media playbackdevices management engine 614 can transmit the requested media content622 to the media playback device 104 based on the obtained informationabout the preset button 512. By way of example, if the media contentassociated with the preset button 512 has been previously played andstopped at a particular elapsed time, the cloud preset data 610 storessuch playback state information. Upon request for the same media contentfrom another media playback device 104, the multiple media playbackdevices management engine 614 can transmit the media content to themedia playback device 104 along with the playback state information sothat the media content is played back from the particular elapsed time(i.e., not from the beginning of the media content, but from theposition of the media content where the media content has beenpreviously left off).

FIG. 8 illustrates an example data structure 640 of the local presetdata 602. As described above, the local preset data 602 can be stored inthe PMSA system 110. In some embodiments, the local preset data 602include a user account identifier 642, a device identifier 644, andpreset button information 646. In other embodiments, the local presetdata 602 can include other information, such as playback settinginformation (e.g., playback mode (shuffle, repeat, normal, etc.),playback speed, sound quality, etc.).

The user account identifier 642 is information that identifies a useraccount associated with the PMSA system 110. The device identifier 644is information that identifies the PMSA system 110.

The preset button information 646 includes information about one or morepreset buttons 512 of the PMSA system 110. In some embodiments, thepreset button information 646 includes a preset name 650, a presetbutton identifier (ID) 652, and a media context identifier (ID) 654. Thepreset name 650 is a name of a preset button 512. The preset name 650can be predetermined with a word or phrase (e.g., “Preset 1,” “Preset2,” “Preset 3,” and “Preset 4”). In other embodiments, the preset name650 can be reset or renamed as desired by a user. The preset buttonidentifier 652 is configured to identify an associated preset button512. The media context identifier 654 is configured to identify a mediacontext that is associated with a corresponding preset button 512. Insome embodiments, the preset button identifier 652 and/or the mediacontext identifier 654 are configured as Uniform Resource Identifiers(URIs).

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the preset signal 604 of FIG. 7. Insome embodiments, the preset signal 604 conveys a preset request 670, auser account identifier 672, a device identifier 674, and a presetbutton identifier 676.

As described herein, the preset signal 604 is transmitted from the PMSAsystem 110 to the media delivery system 112. The preset signal 604includes information that is usable by the media delivery system 112 toperform functions requested via a preset button 512 at the PMSA system110. In some embodiments, the preset signal 604 is generated based atleast in part on the local preset data 602.

The preset request 670 includes a request that is received via a presetbutton 512 of the PMSA system 110. As described herein, the PMSA system110 operates to receive a user input (e.g., a pressing action) via thepreset button 512 and process the user input to determine the requestintended by the user input.

Various requests can be made via the preset button 512 of the PMSAsystem 110. In some embodiments, the preset request 670 includes aplayback request 680 configured to request to play, or stop playing,particular media content (e.g., a media context 238) associated with thepreset button 512 via which the user input is received. Example methodsof using the playback request 680 are illustrated and described infurther detail herein, such as with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

Alternatively, the preset request 670 can include a preset setup request682 configured to request to set up the preset button 512 by assigninganother media content (e.g., another media context 238) with the presetbutton 512. An example method of using the preset setup request 682 isillustrated and described in further detail herein, such as withreference to FIG. 15.

The user account identifier (ID) 672 is information that identifies auser account associated with the PMSA system 110 at which the presetrequest 670 is received. In some embodiments, the user accountidentifier 672 is retrieved from the local preset data 602 (e.g., theuser account identifier 642).

The device identifier (ID) 674 is information that identifies the PMSAsystem 110 at which the preset request 670 is received. In someembodiments, the device identifier 674 is retrieved from the localpreset data 602 (e.g., the device identifier 644).

The preset button identifier (ID) 676 is information that identifies thepreset button 512 of the PMSA system 110 via which the preset request670 is received. In some embodiments, the preset button identifier 676is retrieved from the local preset data 602 (e.g., the preset buttonidentifier 652).

In alternative embodiments, the preset signal 604 can further includeother information usable by the media delivery system 112. Examples ofsuch other information include a preset name of the selected presetbutton, a media context identifier associated with the selected presetbutton, playback setting information, and any other suitable informationassociated with or stored in the PMSA system 110.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram that illustrates an example of the cloudpreset data 610 of FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the cloud preset data610 include user account information 702, device information 704, presetinformation 706, device status information 708, and media playback stateinformation 710.

The cloud preset data 610 include information associated with the presetbuttons 512 of the PMSA system 110. In some embodiments, the cloudpreset data 610 include information for a plurality of PMSA systems 110and can be used by the media delivery system 112 to control theplurality of PMSA systems 110. In other embodiments, the cloud presetdata 610 can be dedicated to a single PMSA system 110 or a limited groupof PMSA systems 110

The user account information 702 includes information that identifiesuser accounts that are associated with PMSA systems 110, respectively.In some embodiments, the user account information 702 includes useraccount identifiers for identifying the user accounts that match therespective PMSA systems 110. A user account identifier can be a stringof numbers and/or letters that identify a user account. An example ofthe user account information 702 is illustrated and described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 11.

In some embodiments, when the media delivery system 112 receives thepreset signal 604, the media delivery system 112 can retrieve the useraccount information 702 and determine a user account that matches thepreset signal 604. For example, the preset signal 604 can include a useraccount identifier that identifies a user account associated with thePMSA system 110, and the media delivery system 112 can process thepreset signal 604 and look up the user account information 702 todetermine which user account in the user account information 702 isassociated with the PMSA system 110.

The device information 704 includes information that identifies one ormore PMSA systems 110. In some embodiments, the device information 704includes device identifiers for identifying PMSA systems 110. A deviceidentifier can be a string of numbers and/or letters that identify aPMSA system. An example of the device information 704 is illustrated anddescribed in more detail with reference to FIG. 11.

In some embodiments, when the media delivery system 112 receives thepreset signal 604, the media delivery system 112 can retrieve the deviceinformation 704 and determine a device identifier that matches thepreset signal 604. For example, the preset signal 604 can include adevice identifier that identifies the PMSA system 110, and the mediadelivery system 112 can process the preset signal 604 and look up thedevice information 704 to determine which PMSA system matches the deviceidentifier included in the preset signal 604.

The preset information 706 includes information that identifies one ormore preset buttons 512 of PMSA systems 110. In some embodiments, thepreset information 706 includes preset identifiers for identifyingpreset buttons of PMSA systems 110. A preset identifier can be a stringof numbers and/or letters that identify a preset button of a PMSAsystem. An example of the preset information 706 is illustrated anddescribed in more detail with reference to FIG. 11.

In some embodiments, when the media delivery system 112 receives thepreset signal 604, the media delivery system 112 can retrieve the presetinformation 706 and determine a preset button identifier that matchesthe preset signal 604. For example, the preset signal 604 can include apreset button identifier that identifies a preset button of a PMSAsystem 110, and the media delivery system 112 can process the presetsignal 604 and look up the preset information 706 to determine whichpreset button matches the preset button identifier included in thepreset signal 604.

The device status information 708 includes information about statuses ofPMSA systems 110. Each of the PMSA systems 110 can be in either anactive state or an inactive state. In some embodiments, when a PMSAsystem 110 is in an active state, the PMSA system 110 is in operationand accessible by the media delivery system 112 via the network 116.When a PMSA system 110 is in an inactive state, the PMSA system 110 isnot in operation and inaccessible by the media delivery system 112 viathe network 116.

The media playback state information 710 includes information aboutmedia content playback via PMSA systems 110. In some embodiments, themedia playback state information 710 is provided for each user account.In other embodiments, the media playback state information 710 isprovided for each media playback device. In yet other embodiments, themedia playback state information 710 is provided for each media context.In still other embodiments, the media playback state information 710 isprovided for each media content item.

In some embodiments, the media playback state information 710 includescurrent context information 730, current track information 732, currentposition-in-track information 734, playback control status information736, playback settings information 738, subsequent track information740, and playback history information 742.

The current context information 730 includes information about a mediacontext that is being currently played.

The current track information 732 includes information about a mediacontent item (e.g., track) that is currently being played. Thecurrently-playing media content item can be one of the media contentitems included in the currently-playing media context.

The current position-in-track information 734 includes information abouta current playback position of the media context. For example, thecurrent position-in-track information 734 includes a time (e.g., anelapsed time or progress time) that has elapsed since the beginning ofplayback of the media context. In other embodiments, the currentposition-in-track information 734 includes a remaining time until themedia context is complete to play. In other embodiments, the currentposition-in-track information 734 can be configured for a particularmedia content item.

The playback control status information 736 includes information thatindicates whether the current media content item is currently beingplayed or stopped (including paused).

The playback settings information 738 includes information about one ormore settings of PMSA systems 110. Examples of the settings of PMSAsystems 110 include preset information, playback settings, sound qualitysettings, notification settings, advertisement settings, and othersettings for controlling operation of the PMSA systems 110 or mediacontent playback via the PMSA systems 110.

The subsequent track information 740 includes information about a mediacontent item (e.g., track) that is to be played after the current mediacontent item. In some embodiments, the subsequent track information 740identifies a single media content item. In other embodiments, thesubsequent track information 740 identifies a plurality of media contentitems in order.

The playback history information 742 includes information about themedia content items that have been played. In some embodiments, theplayback history information 742 can be provided as the playback historyby each user account. In other embodiments, the playback historyinformation 742 can be provided as the playback history by each mediaplayback device.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example data structure that may appear in adatabase of the media delivery system 112. In this embodiment, the datain the media delivery system 112 may be represented with a plurality oftables which identifies a rational nature of the database according tothe embodiment of the present disclosure. However, in alternativeembodiments, the data stored in the media delivery system 112 may alsobe implemented using other database models.

In the illustrated example, the data structure 800 includes a useraccount table 802, a media context table 804, and a media content itemtable 806. For each user account, the data structure 800 includes adevice data table 810, a device setting table 812, a preset table 814, aplayback state table 816, a taste profile table 818, and a playbackhistory table 820. It is noted that, where user data is to be protected,the user data is handled according to robust privacy and data protectionpolicies and technologies. For instance, whenever personallyidentifiable information and any other information associated with usersis collected and stored, such information is managed and secured usingsecurity measures appropriate for the sensitivity of the data. Further,users can be provided with appropriate notice and control over how anysuch information is collected, shared, and used. In addition, the datacontained in the set of data structures 800 is stored according to adefined security policy and in accordance with applicable regulations.

The user account table 802 can be configured to include data usable toidentify users of the media delivery system 112 (e.g., a media contentprovider or a media streaming service). In some embodiments, the useraccount table 802 can be used to store and identify the user accounts240 as described with reference to FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the useraccount table 802 can reference one or more other tables, and/or bereferenced by one or more other tables. Some embodiments of the useraccount table 802 can contain a field for user account identifiers (IDs)830, a field for user identifiers (IDs) 832, a field for passwords 834,and a field for subscription types 836. The user account ID fieldidentifies a plurality of user account IDs 830 associated with the usersof the media delivery system 112. The user ID field identifies user IDs832 associated with the user accounts. The user IDs 832 include names orother identification information that the users can use to identifythemselves in the service provided by the media delivery system 112. Theuser IDs 832 can be set up by the users or automatically assigned to theusers. The password field stores data associated with passwords 834 ofthe users, such as hashed and salted passwords. The subscription typefield identifies subscription types 836 associated with the useraccounts. Examples of the subscription types 836 include a freesubscription and a fee-based subscription with a single tier or withmultiple tiers. Such a fee-based subscription can provide services thatthe free subscription does not provide.

In other embodiments, the user account table 802 can contain additionalfields for other information about user, such as biographicalinformation (e.g., address, contact information, age, gender, birthdate/year, family, relationships, work, education, etc.).

Referring still to FIG. 11, each user account that can be identified inthe user account table 802 is associated with, and identifies, a set ofdata for providing various services from the media delivery system 112.In some embodiments, such a set of data includes a device data table810, a device setting table 812, a preset table 814, a playback statetable 816, and a taste profile table 818. In the illustrated example,the tables 810, 812, 814, 816, and 818 are primarily described to beassociated with a single user account (e.g., User Account ID: ABC).However, it is understood that, in other embodiments, the tables 810,812, 814, 816, and 818 can be structured to be associated with aplurality of user accounts

The device data table 810 identifies one or more devices associated witha particular user account (e.g., User Account ID: ABC in FIG. 11). Insome embodiments, the device data table 810 can be referenced by theuser account table 802. Other tables can reference the device data table810. The device data table 810 can also reference one or more othertables. The device data table 810 can contain a field for deviceidentifiers (IDs) 840, a field for device names 842, and a field fordevice status 844. The device ID field includes one or more device IDs840 of one or more media playback devices 104 that are associated withthe particular user account.

In some embodiments, a plurality of media playback devices 104, such asthe PMSA 110, the mobile computing device 118, and other computingdevices, can be respectively used to access media content service fromthe media delivery system 112 which is associated with a single useraccount. For example, a user can use different media playback devices104, such as the PMSA 110 and the mobile computing device 118, to log into media content service with the user's user account information, andthe media content service associated with the user account can beprovided to one or more of the media playback devices 104 through whichthe user has logged in to the user account.

The device name field includes one or more device names 842 associatedwith the device IDs 840. The device status field identifies a devicestatus 844 for each of the media playback devices 104 identified in thedevice data table 810. In some embodiments, the device status can beeither active or inactive. When the device status of a media playbackdevice 104 is active, the media playback device 104 is in operation andaccessible by the media delivery system 112 via the network 116. Whenthe device status of a media playback device 104 is inactive, the mediaplayback device 104 is not in operation and thus inaccessible by themedia delivery system 112 via the network 116.

The device setting table 812 includes information about settings thatare configurable in one or more particular media playback devices. Insome embodiments, the device setting table 812 can be referenced by thedevice data table 810. Other tables can reference the device settingtable 812. The device setting table 812 can reference one or more othertables. In the illustrated example, the device setting table 812indicates that the media playback device identified by the device ID(“ABCsge”) has various settings, such as presets, playback settings,sound quality, notification, advertisement, and other user-configurablesettings.

The preset table 814 includes information about presets associated withone or more particular media playback devices 104. In some embodiments,the preset table 814 can be referenced by the device setting table 812.Other tables can also reference the preset table 814. The preset table814 can reference one or more other tables. In the illustrated example,the preset table 814 contains information about the presets provided inthe media playback device identified by the device ID (“ABCsge”).

Some embodiments of the preset table 814 include a field for presetidentifiers (IDs) 850 and a field for media context identifiers (IDs)852. The preset ID field contains one or more preset identifiers (IDs)850 that identify presets provided in the particular media playbackdevice 104. The context ID field contains one or more media contextidentifiers 852 associated with the preset identifiers 850,respectively. The media context identifiers 852 are used to identifymedia contexts 238, as described herein. In some embodiments, a mediacontext identifier is configured as a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI).

In the illustrated examples of FIG. 8, the PMSA 110 includes the presetbuttons 512, and the preset buttons 512 can be identified by the presetidentifiers 850. As the preset identifiers 850 are associated with themedia context identifiers 852 that identify media contexts, the presetbuttons 512 in the PMSA 110 can be used to retrieve the media contextsidentified by the media context identifiers 852.

The playback state table 816 includes information about playback of oneor more media contexts 238. In some embodiments, where a plurality ofmedia playback devices 104 may be used to play media content associatedwith a particular user account, only one of the plurality of mediaplayback devices 104 can be used to play the media content while theother media playback devices 104 may not be used to play the same mediacontent simultaneously. In these embodiments, the playback state table816 is configured to indicate playback information of the media contentthat is in common among the plurality of media playback devicesassociated with the particular user account. In other embodiments, theplayback state table 816 is configured to indicate playback informationfor each of the media playback devices associated with the particularuser account, where the media playback devices may be used independentlyto play media content in different manners.

In some embodiments, the playback state table 816 contains a currentcontext 860, a current media content item (i.e., a current track) 862, aplayback mode 864, a playback speed 866, a next media content item(i.e., a next track) 868, and an elapsed playback time 870. In additionor alternatively, the playback state table 816 can contain otherplayback-related information. In some embodiments, the playback statetable 816 can reference one or more other tables, and/or be referencedby one or more other tables. The current context 860 indicates a mediacontext 238 that is being currently played in a media playback device104. The current media content item 862 indicates a media content itemthat is being currently played from the current context 860. Theplayback mode 864 indicates a playback mode that is currently selected.Examples of the playback mode include a normal playback mode, a repeatplayback mode, and a shuffle playback mode. The playback speed 866indicates a playback speed that is currently selected. Examples of theplayback speed include a normal playback speed, one or more fasterplayback speeds, and one or more slower playback speeds. The next mediacontent item 868 indicates a media content item that is in queue andwill be subsequently played after the current media content item 862.The elapsed playback time 870 indicates a time that a media content itemhas progressed for playback (e.g., a playback progress time). In someembodiments, the elapsed playback time 870 can include a remainingplayback time which indicates a time that remains until the playback ofa media content item is complete.

Referring still to FIG. 11, the taste profile table 818 is configured toidentify a taste profile 242 (FIG. 3) associated with the particularuser account. In some embodiments, the taste profile table 818 can bereferenced by the user account table 802. Other tables can reference thetaste profile table 818. The taste profile table 818 can also referenceone or more other tables.

The playback history table 820 describes media content items that havebeen played. In some embodiments, the playback history table 820indicates the playback history of media content items by each useraccount. In other embodiments, the playback history table 820 can beconfigured to provide the playback history of media content items byeach media playback device.

The playback history table 820 can reference and be referenced by one ormore other tables. In an example, each playback record of the playbackhistory table 820 includes data associated with a media content itemplayed by a respective account or device. Each playback record of theplayback history table 820 includes data associated with one or morefields of the playback history table 820, such as a device ID field(e.g., for storing an identifier of the device that caused playback ofthe playback record), a media content item (e.g., track) ID field (e.g.,for storing an identifier of the media content item that was playedback), a start time field (e.g., for identifying the start time at whichthe media content item was played back), and a location field (e.g., foridentifying the location of the device associated with the device IDwhen playback was initiated).

With reference still to FIG. 11, the media context table 804 isconfigured to identify one or more media contexts 238 as described withreference to FIG. 3. As illustrated, some embodiments of the mediacontext table 804 can respectively identify a media context 238 by amedia context identifier 852. The media context table 804 containsvarious pieces of information about a corresponding media context 238.Examples of such information include a media context title 880, a mediacontext type 882, a media context artist 884, a media context genre 886,and a list of media content items 888 associated with the media context238. Other information can also be included in the media context table804.

The media context title 880 indicates a title of the media context 238.The media context type 882 indicates a type of the media context 238,such as a playlist, an album, an artist, and a track. The media contextartist 884 indicates one or more artists associated with the mediacontext 238. The media context genre 886 indicates a genre associatedwith the media context 238. The list of media content items 888indicates one or more media content items (i.e., tracks) associated withthe media context 238. Each of the media content items can be identifiedby a track identifier 890. In some embodiments, one or more of the mediacontent items 234, as described with reference to FIG. 3, are identifiedby the list of media content items 888.

The media content item table 806 is configured to identify one or moremedia content items (i.e., tracks) 892 by the track identifiers 890. Insome embodiments, a track identifier is configured as a Uniform ResourceIdentifier (URI). In some embodiments, one or more of the media contentitems 892 are selected from the media content items 234 as describedwith reference to FIG. 3. The media content item table 806 can furtherinclude various attributes about the media content item 892, such as amedia content item title, artist identification (e.g., individual artistname or group name, or multiple artist names or group names), genre,era, and other attributes of the media content item.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an example method 900 for operating the PMSAsystem 110. In some embodiments, the method 900 is performed at leastpartially by the preset input processing engine 184 of the PMSA system110.

At operation 902, the PMSA system 110 operates to receive a user inputvia a preset button 512 of the PMSA system 110. As described herein, insome embodiments, the preset button 512 is configured to be physicallydepressible to be actuated. A user input can be a user's pressing actionagainst the preset button 512, which causes the preset button 512 to bedepressed. The PMSA system 110 can include a sensor system that detectsthe depression of the preset button 512 and generate a signalrepresentative of the user input. In some embodiments, the sensor systemcan detect different types of pressing action (e.g., a single pressing,a series of multiple pressings, a combination of pressing and holding,etc.) against the preset button 512 and identity different user inputscorresponding to such different pressing action types.

At operation 904, the PMSA system 110 operates to generate a presetsignal 604 associated with the selected preset button 512. As describedherein, the preset signal 604 is configured to include a requestintended by the user input via the preset button 512. Further, thepreset signal 604 includes at least one of a user account identifier 672and a device identifier 674. The user account identifier 672 isconfigured to identify a user account associated with the PMSA system110. The device identifier 674 is configured to identify the PMSA system110. In addition, the preset signal 604 can include a preset buttonidentifier 676 that identifies the selected preset button 512 of thePMSA system 110.

At operation 906, the PMSA system 110 operates to determine whether thePMSA system 110 is online and thus in data communication with the mediadelivery system 112 via the network 116. If it is determined that thePMSA system 110 is in data communication with the media delivery system112 (“Yes” at this operation), the method 900 moves directly tooperation 910. Otherwise (“No” at this operation), the method 900 movesto operation 908.

At operation 908, the PMSA system 110 operates to store the presetsignal 604 locally in the PMSA system 110. In some embodiments, thepreset signal 604 can be stored at least until the PMSA system 110becomes in data communication with the media delivery system 112. Asdescribed with reference to operation 910, the preset signal 604 can betransmitted to the media delivery system 112 once the PMSA system 110becomes in data communication with the media delivery system 112. Insome embodiments, the preset signal 604 is temporarily stored in thePMSA system 110 and removed once it is sent to the media delivery system112.

Alternatively, the preset signal 604 can be generated at the operation904 only if it is determined that the PMSA system 110 is in datacommunication with the media delivery system 112. Then, the presetsignal 604 can be transmitted to the media delivery system 112 once thepreset signal 604 is generated, without performing the operation 906.

At operation 910, the PMSA system 110 operates to send the preset signal604 to the media delivery system 112 via a network (e.g., the network116). As described herein, the media delivery system 112 operates toperform one or more functions using the preset signal 604.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an example method 930 for operating the mediadelivery system 112. In some embodiments, the method 930 is performed atleast partially by the preset-based media delivery engine 126 (e.g., thecloud-based preset management engine 612 thereof) of the media deliverysystem 112. In some embodiments, the method 930 is configured to processthe playback request 680 included in the preset signal 604. As describedherein, the playback request 680 describes a request for starting orstopping playback of media content (e.g., a media context 238)associated with the preset button 512 of a media playback device 104. Insome embodiments, the media playback device 104 can be the PMSA system110 as described herein. In other embodiments, any other computingdevice, such as the computing device 118, can be the media playbackdevice 104 to the extent that the other computing device has one or morepreset buttons 512.

At operation 932, the media delivery system 112 receives the presetsignal 604 associated with the preset button 512 of a media playbackdevice 104, such as the PMSA system 110. The preset signal 604 can begenerated as the preset button 512 is actuated by a manual input againstthe preset button 512. In some embodiments, the preset signal 604includes the playback request 680, at least one of the user accountidentifier 672 and the device identifier 674, and the preset buttonidentifier 676, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

At operation 934, the media delivery system 112 identifies a mediacontext 238 associated with the preset button 512 based on the receivedpreset signal 604 and the cloud preset data 610. In some embodiments,the media delivery system 112 determines the media context 238 byreferring to the cloud preset data 610 and identifying the media context238 that is associated with the information that matches the informationincluded in the preset signal 604. Such matching information can includeat least one of the user account identifier, the device identifier, andthe preset button identifier. For example, the media delivery system 112operates to look up the user account information 702 in the cloud presetdata 610 to identify a user account identifier that matches the useraccount identifier 672 included in the preset signal 604. In addition oralternatively, the media delivery system 112 operates to look up thedevice information 704 in the cloud preset data 610 to identify a deviceidentifier that matches the device identifier 674 included in the presetsignal 604. Further, the media delivery system 112 operates to look upthe preset information 706 in the cloud preset data 610 to identify apreset button identifier that matches the preset button identifier 676included in the preset signal 604. The media delivery system 112 canthen determine a media context identifier 852 for identifying the mediacontext 238 that is associated with at least one of the user accountidentifier and the device identifier, and that is associated with thepreset button identifier in the cloud preset data 610.

At operation 936, the media delivery system 112 manages transmission ofthe identified media context 238 to the media playback device 104 forcontrolling playback of the media context 238. In embodiments where theplayback request 680 included in the preset signal 604 is a request forstarting playback, the media delivery system 112 can transmit the mediacontext 238 to the media playback device 104 so that the media playbackdevice 104 can start playing the media context 238. In other embodimentswhere the playback request 680 is a request for stopping playback, themedia delivery system 112 can stop transmitting the media context 238 tothe media playback device 104 while the media playback device 104 stopsplaying the media context 238. Alternatively, for the playback stoprequest, the media delivery system 112 continue to transmit the mediacontext 238 to the media playback device 104 for at least apredetermined period of time while the media playback device 104 hasstopped the playback of the media context 238.

At operation 938, the media delivery system 112 operates to update thecloud preset data 610. In some embodiments, the media playback stateinformation 710 in the cloud preset data 610 is updated to reflect anychange to the playback of the media context 238. For example, where themedia context 238 starts playing back, the media playback stateinformation 710 is updated to indicate, for example, the media context238 as the current context, which media content item in the mediacontext 238 is being played, and the playback time (e.g., the elapsedtime) of the currently-playing media content item in the media context238. Where the playback of the media context 238 is stopped, the mediaplayback state information 710 is updated with the fact that theplayback of the media context 238 is stopped, and with the indication ofthe time (e.g., the elapsed time) when the media content item of themedia context 238 is stopped. Other information associated with theplayback of the media context can be also updated in the media playbackstate information 710.

As described herein, the updated cloud preset data 610 can be used forplayback or setup of the media context 238 using the same media playbackdevice 104 (e.g., the PMSA system 110) or other media playback devices104 (e.g., the computing devices 118) associated with the same useraccount. For example, when the same media playback device 104 receives auser input via the same preset button 512, the media playback device 104generates and transmits a preset signal 604 to the media delivery system112, and the media delivery system 112 can perform the method 930 ormethod 950 (FIG. 14) according to the preset signal 604, depending on arequest identified in the preset signal 604.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example method 950 for operating the mediadelivery system 112. In some embodiments, the method 950 is performed atleast partially by the preset-based media delivery engine 126 (e.g., thecloud-based preset management engine 612 thereof) of the media deliverysystem 112. In some embodiments, the method 950 is configured to processthe preset set up request 682 included in the preset signal 604. Asdescribed herein, the preset setup request 682 describes a request forsetting up the selected preset button 512 of a media playback device 104by assigning media content (e.g., a media context 238) to the presetbutton 512. In some embodiments, the media playback device 104 can bethe PMSA system 110 as described herein. In other embodiments, any othercomputing device, such as the computing device 118, can be the mediaplayback device 104 to the extent that the other computing device hasone or more preset buttons 512.

At operation 952, the media delivery system 112 receives the presetsignal 604 associated with a preset button 512 of a media playbackdevice 104, such as the PMSA system 110.

In some embodiments, when a particular media context 238 is being playedusing the media playback device 104, a user (e.g., a listener) can setup the preset button 512 with the currently-playing media context 238.By way of example, while listening to the media context 238, the usercan press and hold the preset button 512 for a predetermined period oftime (e.g., a few seconds) to assign the media context 238 to the presetbutton 512. The preset signal 604 can be generated as the preset button512 is actuated by the pressing and holding action against the presetbutton 512. Other types of manual inputs can be used to actuate thepreset button 512 for this function. In some embodiments, the presetsignal 604 includes the preset setup request 682, at least one of theuser account identifier 672 and the device identifier 674, and thepreset button identifier 676, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

At operation 954, the media delivery system 112 identifies the mediacontext 238 that is being currently played via the media playback device104. The media delivery system 112 can determine the media context 238based on the received preset signal 604 and the cloud preset data 610.In some embodiments, the media delivery system 112 determines the mediacontext 238 by referring to the cloud preset data 610 and identifyingthe media context 238 that is associated with the information thatmatches the information included in the preset signal 604. Such matchinginformation can include at least one of the user account identifier andthe device identifier. For example, the media delivery system 112operates to look up the user account information 702 in the cloud presetdata 610 to identify a user account identifier that matches the useraccount identifier 672 included in the preset signal 604. In addition oralternatively, the media delivery system 112 operates to look up thedevice information 704 in the cloud preset data 610 to identify a deviceidentifier that matches the device identifier 674 included in the presetsignal 604. The media delivery system 112 can retrieve the mediaplayback state information 710 that is associated with the user accountidentifier and/or the device identifier, and identify the currentcontext information 730 to determine the media context that is currentlybeing played at the media playback device 104.

At operation 956, the media delivery system 112 operates to update thecloud preset data 610 to associate the identified media context 238 withthe preset button 512 of the media playback device 104. For example, themedia delivery system 112 can modify the preset information 706 of thecloud preset data 610 so that the currently-playing media context 238 isassociated with the preset button 512 of the media playback device 104.

As described herein, the updated cloud preset data 610 can be used forplayback or setup of the media context 238 using the same media playbackdevice 104 (e.g., the PMSA system 110) or other media playback devices104 (e.g., the computing devices 118) associated with the same useraccount. For example, when the same media playback device 104 receives auser input via the same preset button 512, the media playback device 104generates and transmit a preset signal 604 to the media delivery system112, and the media delivery system 112 can perform the method 930 or themethod 950 according to the preset signal 604, depending on a requestidentified in the preset signal 604.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an example method 970 for operating the mediadelivery system 112. In some embodiments, the method 970 is performed atleast partially by the preset-based media delivery engine 126 (e.g., themultiple media playback devices management engine 614 thereof) of themedia delivery system 112.

In some embodiments, the method 970 is configured to process the requestsignal 620 from a media playback device 104. As described herein, therequest signal 620 describes a request for controlling playback of aparticular media context (e.g., start or stop playing the mediacontext), as illustrated in FIG. 7. As described herein, if the mediacontext retrieved by the request signal 620 from a first media playbackdevice 104 (e.g., the computing device 118) is identical to the mediacontext associated with a preset button 512 of a second media playbackdevice 104 (e.g., the PMSA system 110) that is logged in with the sameuser account as the first media playback device 104, the media playbackstate information 710 associated with the second media playback device104 is shared with the first media playback device 104, and, therefore,the media context is transmitted to the first media playback device 104based on the media playback state information 710. In some embodiments,this is possible because the media playback state information 710 isassociated with the user account of the first and second media playbackdevices 104. In some embodiments, the first media playback device 104can be the computing device 118 and the second media playback device 104can be the PMSA system 110 as described herein. Alternatively, the firstmedia playback device 104 can be the PMSA system 110 and the secondmedia playback device 104 can be the computing device 118 to the extentthat the computing device 118 has one or more preset buttons 512 asdescribed herein.

At operation 972, the media delivery system 112 receives the requestsignal 620 (e.g., a media content request) from another media playbackdevice 104, such as the computing device 118. In some embodiments, therequest signal 620 is a request for playing a particular media context238. In other embodiments, the request signal 620 is a request forstopping playback of a particular media context 238 while the mediacontext 238 is currently being played. In yet other embodiments, therequest signal 620 can be a request for controlling other aspects,features, or settings associated with playback of a particular mediacontext 238.

In some embodiments, the request signal 620 is generated based on a userinput received via the user interface 420 of the computing device 118.The request signal 620 can include at least one of a user accountidentifier for identifying a user account associated with the computingdevice 118 and a device identifier for identifying the computing device118. In addition, the request signal 620 can include a media contextidentifier for identifying the media context 238 intended by the userinput via the computing device 118.

At operation 974, the media delivery system 112 determines the mediacontext 238 identified by the request signal 620. In some embodiments,the media delivery system 112 determines the media context that matchesthe media content identifier included in the request signal 620.

At operation 976, the media delivery system 112 identifies the mediaplayback state information 710 associated with the determined mediacontext 238. In some embodiments, the media playback state information710 can be identified based on the user account associated with theother media playback device 104 that has sent the request signal 620 tothe media delivery system 112. The request signal 620 can include theuser account identifier that identifies the user account associated withthe other media playback device 104. The media delivery system 112 canretrieve the cloud preset data 610 associated with the user account anddetermine the media playback state information 710 in the cloud presetdata 610 that is associated with the media context 238.

At operation 978, the media delivery system 112 operates to transmit themedia context 238 to the other media playback device 104 based on themedia playback state information 710. In some embodiments, the mediacontext 238 is transmitted to the other media playback device 104according to the playback state, such as the elapsed playback time 870,so that the other media playback device 104 plays the media context 238from the elapsed playback time 870 rather than the beginning of themedia context 238.

The various examples and teachings described above are provided by wayof illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope ofthe present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily recognizevarious modifications and changes that may be made without following theexamples and applications illustrated and described herein, and withoutdeparting from the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

1. A method for playing media content, the method comprising: receivinga first preset signal associated with a preset signal source of a firstmedia playback device; identifying a media context associated with thepreset signal source based on the first preset signal; transmitting themedia context to the first media playback device for playback; andstoring media playback state information associated with the mediacontext.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the media playback stateinformation includes current position-in-track information thatindicates a current playback position of the media context.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the media playback state information includesat least one of current context information, current track information,playback control status, playback settings, subsequent trackinformation, and playback history information.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising: storing cloud preset data, the cloud preset dataincluding the media playback state information.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the preset signal source is a preset button provided in thefirst media playback device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstpreset signal includes at least one of a user account identifier and adevice identifier, the user account identifier identifying a useraccount associated with the first media playback device, and the deviceidentifier identifying the first media playback device.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the media context includes at least one of an album, aplaylist, and a media content item.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving a second preset signal from the preset signalsource of the first media playback device; and updating the mediaplayback state information associated with the media context in responseto the second preset signal.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the firstpreset signal includes a request for playing the media context, and thesecond preset signal includes a request for stopping playback of themedia context.
 10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:receiving a request for the media context from a second media playbackdevice; identifying the media playback state information associated withthe media context; and transmitting the media context to the secondmedia playback device based on the media playback state information. 11.A media delivery system for providing media content to a media playbackdevice, the media delivery system comprising: at least one processingdevice; at least one data storage device storing: a cloud preset dataincluding information about a preset button of the media playback deviceand a media context associated with the preset button; and datainstructions executable by the at least one processing device to causethe media delivery system to: receive a first preset signal from themedia playback device, the first preset signal associated with thepreset button of the media playback device; retrieve the cloud presetdata to identify the media context associated with the preset buttonbased on the first preset signal; transmit the media context to themedia playback device for playback; and update the cloud preset databased on the transmission of the media context.
 12. The media deliverysystem of claim 11, wherein the cloud preset data include media playbackstate information about the media context.
 13. The media delivery systemof claim 11, wherein the data instructions further cause the mediadelivery system to: receive a second preset signal from the mediaplayback device, the second preset signal associated with the presetbutton of the media playback device; and update the cloud preset data inresponse to the second preset signal.
 14. The media delivery system ofclaim 11, wherein the first preset signal includes a request for playingthe media context, and the second preset signal includes a request forstopping playback of the media context.
 15. The media delivery system ofclaim 11, wherein the data instructions further cause the media deliverysystem to: receive a request for the media context from another mediaplayback device; identify the cloud preset data associated with themedia context; and transmit the media context to the other mediaplayback device based on the cloud preset data.